Why Mike Johnson's Rielly-for-Pettersson trade proposal solves the Leafs' Marner dilemma
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Would Morgan Riely for Elias Pettersson make sense as an offseason trade? One top analyst thinks so.
TSN Analyst and former NHLer Mike Johnson proposed the possibility of the Toronto Maple Leafs trading defenseman Morgan Rielly, a video game trade that is being argued to make sense.
Johnson floats the argument for trading Rielly to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Elias Pettersson 1-for-1, a deal that could be a sensible change of scenery for both sides.
Rielly, 32, has been on a downward turn within the last two seasons, having eight goals and 32 points in 62 games this season for Toronto.
Once the Leafs clear #1 defenseman, Rielly is still a leader on their defense and the quarterback of the team's power play, but is no longer in the conversation as one of the NHL's top defensemen.
Pettersson, 27, has gone the last two seasons under a PPG pace, far from the 102 point scorer he was only three seasons ago.
This season, Pettersson has been limited to just 13 goals and 38 points in 53 games in Vancouver, having been a shell of his past self.
Mike Johnson's trade proposal may be more realistic than it seems
Both Morgan Rielly and Elias Pettersson need a change of scenery that both sides could give each other for a necessary restart.
Rielly, a Vancouver native, would join a Canucks roster that has lost its No. 1 defenseman in Quinn Hughes, and needing someone to bridge the transition gap to Hughes and youngster Zeev Buium.
Able to play both at center and at left wing, a move to Toronto would give Pettersson a chance to kick start his offense once again next to Auston Matthews and fellow Swede William Nylander, or on his own behind Matthews at 2C.
Pettersson has struggled with chemistry alongside his Canucks teammates, but has an established bond with Nylander, and could fit on a new team.
Toronto Maple Leafs receive:
Elias Pettersson
Vancouver Canucks receive:
Morgan Rielly
2026 4th round pick
2026 4th round pick
What Pettersson would look like
beside Matthews instead of carrying Vancouver
Elias Pettersson would give the Toronto Maple Leafs an impact forward that could be the replacement the Leafs have been looking for since the departure of Mitch Marner.
Pettersson is three seasons removed from 39 goals, 63 assists, & 102 points. That player still exists in flashes, but he's not working on this Canucks team, with chemistry issues burying him.
On a team that has struggled with success since going 50-23-9 two seasons ago, Pettersson is not performing like the player signed to an $11.6M contract that offseason.
The Canucks are a team in a rebuild, and Elias Pettersson is highly expendable, especially if they get another top forward first overall in Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg as his replacement.
Morgan Rielly going home to Vancouver might be the part that makes this work
Morgan Rielly's connection to Vancouver could make the deal work between the Canucks and Leafs.
The hometown Rielly has a full no-move clause, but for the Canucks it may be a team he'd waive it for, although more than anything he'd want to play for a contender, something Vancouver would have to prove they are.
There are things that make the deal not make sense, of course. Rielly wants to remain in Toronto, and on a contender. Vancouver is far from appearing as a playoff team, and that looks to go for next year unless there's major revamping to the lineup.
For Rielly, who has never been to a Stanley Cup finals, is now the time he considers heading back home for a team that doesn't promise him his desired playoff success?
On Pettersson's end, are his issues in the Canucks locker room something Toronto wants to handle? Pettersson may only be more negative in a market such as Toronto where every moment is potentially scrutinized, both on and off the ice.
The Leafs would also have their lack of a number one defenseman, and unless they add one as well, they'd be getting rid of the one player on their roster closest to a No. 1.
The only logic is Elias Pettersson being viewed as a cap dump by the Canucks, and although he's heading into that territory, Toronto may need to sweeten the deal more on their end than just Rielly and a 2nd.
But, if it were to happen, the Toronto Maple Leafs would be getting a potential steal and fit next to Auston Matthews in the lineup. If not, the Leafs make a cataclysmic misstep to rebound from this season.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 12|899 ANSWERS Why Mike Johnson's Rielly-for-Pettersson trade proposal solves the Leafs' Marner dilemma Does a hypothetical Elias Pettersson for Morgan Rielly trade get done? | ||
| Yes | 226 | 25.1 % |
| Toronto says no | 153 | 17 % |
| Vancouver says no | 192 | 21.4 % |
| No for both sided | 328 | 36.5 % |
| List of polls | ||