If you thought the Maple Leafs were going to trade Morgan Rielly, his solid start to the season may give you a reason to reconsider as he's stepped up big time.
For the past couple of seasons, the chatter around the Maple Leafs has been focused a lot on whether Morgan Rielly still belongs on the team. He had declined steadily the past two years, his defensive game was the worst it had ever been, and the offensive side was quickly evaporating.
They tried to make a deal for him last year at the deadline but there were no real suitors for his services. They were close with San Jose, but they decided to go after Darnell Nurse instead.
Morgan Rielly trade talk may vanish after his hot start to 2026-27
That meant that Rielly was back on the team for 2026-27, but with Darren Raddysh brought in, it looked like Rielly was ready to take a backseat to things. Instead, he's decided to put up one of his strongest starts in recent memory.
Rielly has nine points in 13 games (all assists), already has 17 blocks, 7 hits, only a minus-2, and is actually shooting the puck - and getting them on net too. Shockingly, he's putting up his highest A/60 rating of his career, averaging over 2 assists per 60.
Over their four-game win streak too, he's truly stepped it up at both ends of the ice but it's the defensive side that's been fantastic - being on the ice for only three goals against in four games:
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Since Troy Stecher has stepped in as Rielly's partner on the second pairing, it's settled Rielly down considerably. Stecher is a great defensive player who constantly puts himself in a spot to defend properly, and he's good enough of a puck mover to get out of the zone consistently.
Why Morgan Rielly's resurgence is a hopeful sign for the Maple Leafs
Rielly has genuinely looked a lot more locked in this year - compare this clip from 2021 to Rielly in 2026:
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That's the type of dynamic player Rielly can be. He works hard in the defensive end and the team gets rewarded, and though that hard work has been minimal the last two years, it's much different this year.
Oh, and that clip from 2021? That was from his 10-goal, 68-point season which still ranks as the second-best season of his entire career. If this is the level of offensive help we can expect, with the goals to follow - then Toronto may be in serious business come playoff time.
Rielly playing the best he has in five years has assuredly put those trade talks on pause. It may not completely eliminate them at the end of the day, but for now?
Let's give Morgan Rielly his flowers.
Should the Maple Leafs still try and trade Morgan Rielly?
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