A Morgan Rielly trade to the Sharks may not be out of reach as the team is looking to still add a puck-moving defender to their blueline before the season opens up.
Over the course of the 2026 offseason, the chatter surrounding Morgan Rielly and a potential trade has been up and down to say the least. He was going to be traded, then without a deal found he was part of the team; then expanded his options.
We also know the Sharks pursued a lot of defenders this year including Rielly, and they can afford it too with over $12-million in cap space, and Toronto is $2.75-million over so they need relief - it makes sense for both sides.
While it's more and more likely that he ends up staying with the team, there are still teams who could use a player like Rielly should they have the proper protection to cover for his defensive shortcomings.
San Jose's unfinished blueline could end up leading them back to Morgan Rielly
We heard a lot of talk about the San Jose Sharks as a potential destination given they needed defensemen, had a ton of space, and also could use Rielly's veteran leadership to help mentor the young guns. But with them choosing a more expensive yet defensively sound Darnell Nurse, it seemed like all hope on that front was lost.
It isn't as if Rielly is moving to a team without some offensive firepower because the Sharks have it.
Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa, and also 2nd overall pick Ivar Stenberg are all in the fray, not to mention Mason Marchment who signed a big $33.75-million deal this offseason. Rielly wouldn't have a problem finding scoring opportunities, and he'd be covered defensively.
All those players mentioned are solid defensive players in their own right, meanwhile Nurse, Sam Dickinson and Jacob Trouba can help out too.
Rielly doesn't need to be the first option either with Trouba in tow (and the Sharks clearly paid a premium to bring him in at $8.25-million AAV) and he can just focus on getting the puck to the proper places.
But Elliotte Friedman gave Leafs fans hope a deal could come to fruition. Speaking on the last 32 Thoughts podcast of the year, Friedman mentioned that the Sharks, despite already trading for Nurse, is still looking to add a puck-mover on the back end - which fits perfectly with what Rielly has to offer:
I still think they could use a powerplay quarterback, and I think they might look for one.
If that's the case, then who better to run the powerplay than Rielly? He has 179 career points on the man advantage and has extensive experience running the PP in Toronto with some superstars; much like he'd have in San Jose. They can afford it too with over $12-million in cap space, and Toronto is $2.75-million over so they need relief.
Rielly could rebuild his offensive profile with San Jose's young core
It isn't as if Rielly is moving to a team without some offensive firepower because the Sharks have it.
Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa, and also 2nd overall pick Ivar Stenberg are all in the fray, not to mention Mason Marchment who signed a big $33.75-million deal this offseason. Rielly wouldn't have a problem finding scoring opportunities, and he'd be covered defensively.
All those players mentioned are solid defensive players in their own right, meanwhile Nurse, Sam Dickinson and Jacob Trouba can help out too.
Rielly doesn't need to be the first option either with Trouba in tow (and the Sharks clearly paid a premium to bring him in at $8.25-million AAV) and he can just focus on getting the puck to the proper places.
Rielly had been neutralized by Craig Berube's defensive heavy style, so giving him a chance to run and gun with some speedsters could be the key to unlocking his potential. He had 20 goals before, and a lot of that was joining in the rush - if there's a safety net behind him then he needs to get going.
A Toronto trade return could be better than just a simple cap dump
Rielly's $7.5-million AAV hurts, but Toronto can't rush to just get rid of him because San Jose is interested. You have to see how serious they are about bringing in a player like him, and what they have to offer.
Toronto could ask to take on a player like Barclay Goodrow or Adam Gaudette in order to add some more scoring and versatility to the lineup, or if they are settled on their NHL team they could target a player like Patrick Giles - a huge power forward who has a history with the USNTDP - an area the Maple Leafs have had a lot of success in recently.
All three make under $4-million and for the cap-strapped Maple Leafs, adding any type of help on the cheap is a solid move.
You're not asking the Sharks for a top prospect or anything of the sort, that's not feasible. But getting an NHL-ready player who can add some versatility, or a player who can add some physicality and depth to both the NHL and AHL level is a decent call.
Rielly's talent could probably help Toronto but only if he doesn't have nearly as many responsibilities. Though that's not likely unless given a smaller role and he was already replaced by Darren Raddysh as the new PP guy.
So if there's a chance to get his money off the books, have some wiggle room and add some depth at the same time? Maybe Toronto will be able to pull it off after all and trade Morgan Rielly after so much back and forth.
Do you think there's still a chance the Maple Leafs can trade Morgan Rielly?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs' discarded pieces are becoming central to Kyle Dubas' Penguins plan