Blockbuster proposal sees the Leafs trade Morgan Rielly and prospects for Elias Pettersson

With the Toronto Maple Leafs needing a center, Elias Pettersson could very well be on their radar with a package that includes none other than Morgan Rielly.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that clearly needs a second-line center, and the Vancouver Canucks have the perfect option in Elias Pettersson.

Pettersson has been wrapped up in trade rumors for a long time, and users on X believe the Leafs can pounce on this with a pretty sizeable package.

In fact, @TalkeyHockey on X seems to believe the Leafs can give up Morgan Rielly and a whole host of prospects to make this trade work. The prospects include Tyler Hopkins, Alexander Belicki, and Miroslav Holinka.

Maple Leafs receive: Elias Pettersson

Canucks receive: Morgan Rielly, Miles Wood, Tyler Hopkins, Alexander Belicki, Miroslav Holinka, 1st Round pick in 2028 via Colorado

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This is a trade that would also send Miles Wood to the Vancouver Canucks. For those who may not know, Wood was acquired by the Leafs in the Kirill Marchenko trade.

At first glance, this is a deal that feels like a complete long shot. Not something that Leafs fans should be expecting anytime soon.

However, there are merits for both teams. Firstly, the Maple Leafs would be getting the second center that they have been desperate for. Meanwhile, the Canucks would get a plethora of solid prospects that could help the team in the future.

Maple Leafs need a second line center

The team's desperation for a second-line center is apparent. John Tavares has not been the player he's been over the past couple of seasons, especially alongside Gavin McKenna and William Nylander.

Tavares is naturally a winger, but has been forced to play center for the last few years in Toronto, which has completely handcuffed the offense and has left them in a less-than-optimal situation.

For general manager John Chayka, optimizing this lineup needs to be the number one priority, especially after losing two games to start the season.

A player like Pettersson could be the key to the Leafs finally getting over the hump and rounding out their top-six.

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