Toronto has taken Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe off the trade block for the foreseeable future as the team looks to continue their overhaul.
There's been a lot of discussion recently over whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to make some big changes to the blueline. Morgan Rielly is the top name who could be on the way out but John Chayka is less than confident that's going to happen soon. Then there's been some teams poking around Jake McCabe as well as he would be a great shutdown option for contenders.
But there's also been some rumblings about a potential Oliver Ekman-Larsson deal given his ability to help a team offensively despite being 34 years old, and is coming off two impressive seasons with the Maple Leafs after many fans wrote him off when he signed with the team in 2024.
Toronto standing firm on keeping McCabe and Ekman-Larsson though Carlo still remains in play
Though a McCabe and Ekman-Larsson haul could end up bringing back some pretty decent pieces all things considered, it's highly unlikely that the Maple Leafs deal them away and according to Elliotte Friedman - if they're off the block then it leaves only one name left:
There were some rumours about McCabe but I don't think they have a desire to trade McCabe or Ekman-Larsson. My theory especially with no first rounders, they are going all in the next year or two and I think Carlo is out there as well.
Keeping both McCabe and OEL would be a smart move for the Maple Leafs given that they need a shutdown guy in case Chris Tanev doesn't stay 100% healthy, and the team will need some veteran playmaking and mentorship for young players - and OEL has proven he still has the chops.
Carlo being shopped around isn't a shock given his rough fit so far with the team and the fact that they gave up a huge haul for him in a rushed deal that thankfully hasn't fully come back to haunt them.
But they did rid themselves of him anyways, as the team traded him to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday for the 73rd and 76th overall picks in the 2026 Draft.
Carlo isn't the only name who is being shopped but Toronto fans may not get their wish
While Carlo was being talked about, there is no one who is being discussed more in the trade rumour mill than Morgan Rielly. He would make a great candidate to be traded given his regression, contract, and he's simply run out of chances to prove he can run the team from the back.
It was mentioned during the media scrum after Jim Hiller was introduced to Toronto that the team hadn't found a deal for Rielly and that he is looking like a member of the roster going forward though they are still looking at options.
That's a horrific turn of events for Maple Leafs fans who were hoping that Rielly was going to be headed out this summer. While Hiller has experience with him and is looking forward to working with the veteran, there's still obvious risks.
Unless he hits 55-60 points this season with much more improved defence then it's not going to be worth it, and the fact that after all this discussion and potential destination talk becomes simply moot in a few months is disheartening.
Toronto said they wanted to improve on some big holes and frankly, Rielly is part of that conversation. If they are confident Hiller can turn him back into the offensive weapon he was earlier in his career, then sure - let it ride.
But that leash needs to be extremely short because at some point you can't keep giving Rielly any more chances to prove himself.
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Maple Leafs trade Brandon Carlo to the St. Louis Blues