Morgan Rielly is being allowed to finish the Worlds without any trade rumours but once he gets back the Maple Leafs are going to discuss his future almost right away.
The Maple Leafs are going to give Morgan Rielly a chance to finish up playing for Team Canada before discussing his future. but according to Darren Dreger that meeting is coming up soon - and it's increasingly likely that he's no longer going to be a part of the Toronto organization.
Rielly, 31, has had a really rough two seasons both offensively and defensively. He not only is no longer a #1 option, but the liabilities on the ice in his own end are going to be the team's downfall no matter what other moves they do.
Toronto is giving Morgan Rielly only a couple weeks before discussing his future
So sure in fact, that it seems the Maple Leafs are already preparing to his departure. According to Darren Dreger, Toronto will give the veteran defenceman the chance to focus on the tournament and not let him know their intentions just yet, but it won't be long before they do:
How could he not be aware of the direction his future takes? I think out of respect, they are allowing Morgan Rielly to do what he's doing but the expectation from Morgan and those close to him is yeah, they will come to him and open that door.
He has protection; if and when they come to him, then it kicks into another gear, and if you're coming to us [Rielly's camp] then has there been interest from other teams and if so, who?
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While nothing is set in stone obviously, it seems like both teams are under the impression that a deal will be made and it's more about making sure that both sides are happy at the end of the day.
Rielly does have interest, the only question is whether he shares the same sentiment
Well it's not that Rielly doesn't have any interest from teams as it was reported earlier this season that the San Jose Sharks were a possibility as well as the Edmonton Oilers in a swap for Darnell Nurse but nothing concrete has emerged.
Though Rielly's camp wanting to know who was interested and what type of destinations are out there is no doubt going to be a huge factor in a trade, and it could be a great bargaining chip to lay it all out for the defenceman and let him choose what's best be it money, winning, or both.
Rielly's trade protection makes it really tough considering he needs to make the final call and give the Maple Leafs permission to even seek interested parties in the first place. However, the feeling has been if he does entertain a move it's out west, so that narrows things down a bit.
Besides Edmonton and San Jose, there are possibilities that Vancouver, Calgary, Los Angeles, and Seattle could be of interest to Rielly and all provide at least relative closeness to family out in British Columbia.
But it all depends on how Rielly feels and there's also a very distinct possibility he says no thank you, and Toronto is stuck with him for as long as he wants to be there. Really anything is a possibility with Rielly, and John Chayka needs to tread carefully.
Though one thing that isn't a possibility but a reality is that Morgan Rielly is going to have his future discussed soon and you can't deny that it's long overdue.
Do you think Morgan Rielly is going to waive his trade protection to leave the Maple Leafs?
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