While there's still a lot Morgan Rielly can offer teams, his potential trade package might make fans a little weary given out may not be as lucrative as we think.
Now it's no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to make more moves than they already have this offseason and no doubt those will include Morgan Rielly. He's the longest tenured member of the team but also regressed heavily and can't quarterback the power-play as he once used to.
He's also expensive and getting older, and with the team looking to get more mobile and younger given they already have a few aging players, Rielly is likely headed out sooner than later. San Jose looks like a great destination for him (and there's interest) - plus Rielly already submitted a four-team list centred around the Western Conference.
Morgan Rielly's potential trade return is not going to excite fans whatsoever according to Mike Johnson
Some wonder what he could bring in a package. Could there be a chance where Toronto swoops in and takes the 9th overall pick? Is there a world where the team can find a top-six player in a package if they add their second or third round pick?
According to Mike Johnson, the team is going to be lucky if they get anything of value at all.
Johnson appeared on TSN's First Up and explained that while Rielly is getting a lot of attention, the perceived package that the team could get in return is not going to be as lucrative as fans or the Maple Leafs might be hoping for:
4th rounder, 3rd rounder, maybe another trouble contract.
-
That's...not a relief whatsoever. We know that Rielly is regressing but he should still be able to get something a little more valuable than a couple mid-tier picks and another bad contract to figure out.
San Jose's desperation to add defence is clear, since they only have one defender locked up in Dmitry Orlov, and a ton of RFA's. Rielly serves an important role in the future of the blueline of the Sharks if he goes there, and Mike Grier isn't shy about spending in order to improve.
Toronto can still salvage those picks even if the Rielly package isn't exactly eye-popping
Look, let's just say the team does indeed get a mid-tier return from the Sharks. If those are for 2026, then that gives Toronto the 120th overall pick and 127th pick and perhaps a contract like Barclay Goodrow's or Tyler Toffoli's (if they waive their trade protection).
While it's not amazing, those picks can be used in a package to move up in the draft, or they can overload their system and bring in as many prospects as possible and see if there's a diamond in the rough.
Plus, either player can add some help to the lineup. Goodrow would be a great 3C especially with Max Domi out long-term, he can add secondary scoring, defence and penalty killing much like Nic Roy did and only makes a shade over $3-million.
Toffoli isn't the same player he was in LA but he can still give the Maple Leafs top-nine a scoring threat capable of at least 15-20 goals, who can play above average defence and loves to take shots - something Toronto needs help with.
It's less about finding the perfect return for Rielly in Johnson's case, and it's getting something salvageable that means more than getting everything they want. They'll open up cap and roster space, bring in draft capital, and maybe a solid role player to boot.
That's not an amazing package but it's certainly something Toronto and John Chayka can work with. And that's saying something given Rielly's steep drop-off.
Do you think Toronto can get more than a third and fourth-round pick for Morgan Rielly?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The Maple Leafs are working on multiple deals and something could break any moment