Morgan Rielly looks like a man who is ready to leave Toronto

Morgan Rielly looks like a guy who needs a fresh change of scenery after 13 years and after the failures time and time again, it's time to move on.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going through a lot of changes this offseason and they aren't shy about making big moves to get that done. Out are Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit, and in are Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and Darren Raddysh so we can see what the team is trying to acmmoplsih.

There's still a lot of work to be done but for now John Chayka has been pretty impressive in what he's been able to do, and we still have the NHL Draft to worry about. But there's one move on the top of his priority list he needs to figure out sooner than later.

Morgan Rielly's future has been a huge talking point for several months since before the trade deadline, and while there is no guarantee that he's going to be headed out of town, there is a high likelihood that the team is going to trade him at some point.

A decade under the microscope has taken its toll on Morgan Rielly

And truthfully it sounds like he's looking for a change of scenery as well.

According to Jonas Siegel, Rielly was someone who looked absolutely worn down by the constant criticism surrounding his performance and there's a chance he wants a place that's little less under the microscope:

While the Leafs don't have to trade Rielly, there's a growing belief that it might just be time - for both team and player.

Whether because of his own struggles, the team's unexpected struggles, the many controversies that came with it, or all that decade-plus under the microscope in Toronto, Rielly looked like he needed a change last season.

Rielly, 31, had only 36 points in 78 games for the Maple Leafs while also adding much worse defensive numbers than he has in over a decade. He looked tired, out of position and unable to find himself able to contribute offensively the way he needed to. Toronto's power-play was atrocious and a lot of that had to do with Rielly.

Teams knew he wouldn't shoot and they could just simply let him hold it until he made an eventual mistake and then capitalize.

The growing belief is that Rielly and Toronto parting ways is best for both parties

The addition of Raddysh gives the Maple Leafs a player unlike anything they've had before and Rielly isn't near as good a defender as Raddysh either; there's no spot for him and his $7.5-million.

But he isn't a bad player, he's just not the player Toronto needs. He can thrive elsewhere especially in a place where he's allowed to make mistakes. Will there still be critics? Sure, but nowhere near the level of Toronto and he doesn't have that added pressure.

It's less a boot out the door but more of a bittersweet departure. The Maple Leafs are just moving in a new direction and this is clearly business; not personal. Rielly is beloved by everyone and while fans may not like his on-ice production - his community work and tireless dedication to the team has to be commended.

Toronto is in the business of winning, they just acquired the best defenseman on the open market before he even got there and is better than Rielly in every way at only $1-million more per season.

The writing is on the wall, but for Rielly he may see it less as a warning and more a sombre farewell message.

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