Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has said time and time again that he wants to stay in Toronto, but John Chayka may have other plans.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that is looking to get younger on the blue line. Chris Tanev, Morgan Rielly, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson are only getting older, and the team needs to do something about that.
General manager John Chayka has put a plethora of defensemen in his sights. Zach Werenski and Simon Edvinsson are two of them.
However, when you take big swings, you have to give up good players in the process. This is the harsh reality of doing business, and some players will have to face the music.
Nick Kypreos singles out Morgan Rielly
Insider Nick Kypreos was recently on Sportsnet, where he revealed that any Leafs trade for a defenseman would probably include Morgan Rielly going the other way.
If the Leafs do add a defenceman, [Morgan Rielly] could be the piece included to make the money work
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Rielly has resisted a Maple Leafs trade for two years now. He continues to be mentioned in trade talks, although he has refused to waive his no-trade clause.
However, if the Leafs find a partner, they may have no choice but to pressure Rielly into changing his mind.
Rielly has had complete and utter devotion to the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise, which is certainly admirable when you think of the Mitch Marner's of the world.
That said, the NHL is a harsh business, and sometimes, players are forced into difficult decisions. Chayka understands this, and we imagine he will approach these conversations carefully.
Whatever the case may be, he continues to make big moves, and has a track record of pulling off blockbuster trades.
Do you believe Morgan Rielly is going to be traded by the Maple Leafs?
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