Morgan Rielly's trade interest has lasted over three regime changes and for the first time, Rielly is giving the Maple Leafs a list of options.
Rielly's future with the Maple Leafs has been discussed several times this past offseason and while there have been reports of interested parties looking to acquire him - with Rielly willing to work with the team to help facilitate a deal - there's been no more traction as of late.
He's still penciled in currently as part of the Maple Leafs lineup, though this isn't the first time that we've heard Rielly's name thrown around in rumours as he's been at the centre of trade talks through three separate GMs.
Rival teams called about Rielly before he gave an approved list
First, there were talks about a potential trade in 2023 where then-GM Kyle Dubas discussed a potential move with Rielly though never indicated he was moving him - just putting it out in the ether.
That continued into the Brad Treliving era where it was rumoured by Nick Kypreos that Rielly was being discussed as part of a package to revamp the Maple Leafs blueline because Treliving wanted to 'give the team a new look.'
And now in the John Chayka era we have discussions about Rielly being dealt yet again, with more traction now than ever considering Rielly is willing to open up his options and could be willing to waive his trade protection. He gave Toronto a list of teams he permitted them to talk to, and while there hasn't been progress on that front, he hasn't backtracked on his list either.
That's three separate minds with vastly different philosophies who all couldn't or didn't want to find a trade for Rielly. It might not be a case of Rielly being unable to be traded or a lack of interest, but there hasn't been the right deal that makes replacing the on and off-ice leadership of their longest tenured player.
However Chayka has a much different view of the situation given that he's the one who was able to get an approved list after all this time.
Raddysh's arrival forces Chayka to define Rielly's role before looking at a deal
But if Chayka does indeed hold onto Rielly for 2026-27, then he could be doing a favour to Rielly and delaying an eventual deal. There's something about rewarding someone who has been so loyal and dedicated through both the highs and lows, and since they can't give him more money - then one finally year could be enough.
The team is going all in for Auston Matthews however winning is just as important to Rielly as it is to the captain. For him to finish his Maple Leafs tenure strong with a chance to win the Stanley Cup would be a fitting end and let him leave on a high note.
Though that still doesn't exactly solve Toronto's cap or roster situation. Rielly is not guaranteed to bounce back this year, and he's costing the team $7.5M each year they hold onto him. With four more years left (including 2026-27) that's a lot of money that could be spent elsewhere.
Plus, the team just invested $68-million into Darren Raddysh and look to him to be their new power-play quarterback in place of Rielly. Holding onto Rielly's cap hit while simultaneously paying for Raddysh would cost Toronto $16-million per year to hold onto them both.
This doesn't mean Rielly is going to be traded but it does make one more possible than it ever has before. Until John Chayka decides whether he's worth holding onto, and a deal emerges that works for both sides - Rielly's future in Toronto remains an unknown.
Will Morgan Rielly finally be traded?
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