Major Roadblock Stands Between Maple Leafs and Potential Aaron Ekblad Signing

While discussions surrounding what the Maple Leafs' game plan is this summer when it comes to free agency, a lot of the names floated around would not only bring a vast improvement, but be able to bring that DNA change Brad Treliving desperately wants.

One of the biggest names available is Aaron Ekblad, and barring him re-signing last minute in Florida, will be looked at as the top defender on the market. The Maple Leafs are keen to sign him, and while they have some cap space to work with, they also have one big glaring issue staring them in the face:

Morgan Rielly's contract.

The big caveat of making any big signings is the fact that Morgan Rielly is still entrenched in a lucrative contract, with a no-movement clause and no desire to leave.

The longest tenured player on the team, Rielly has been through it all and really should be given all the credit in the world for being the ultimate team player, even though he receives his fair share of criticism.

However he is 31, on a deal that sees him being paid $7.5-million for the next few years, at a time when he is already a couple of steps behind. Toronto would ideally like to replace him with Ekblad, but it's a) finding a partner willing to take on the deal and b) finding a team Rielly even would entertain going to.

It's the hardest deal for Toronto to find, and while there are some teams who could use a different look on defense; the Rangers, Ducks, and Kings could all use someone like Rielly, but taking on an aging defenseman with that deal is a rough task even with a rising cap.

It's gonna be difficult but there is a chance. It does all depend on Rielly waiving his NMC and being willing to put the last 12 years of his career behind him and focus on something new; especially with a young family in tow.

Their best chance would be to take on some salary retention, even though they would more than likely prefer to get every dollar off their books. Looking at a team like Los Angeles, who is losing Vladimir Gavrikov this summer, they could use a brand new look on their backend.

Plus he can mentor youngsters like Brandt Clarke, Jordan Spence, and be a younger and healthier veteran replacement for Drew Doughty and is close to his hometown of Vancouver.

Rielly, 31, has 513 points in 873 games (87G, 426A) but struggled this season with only 41 points (7G, 34A) and showed some serious signs of slowing down even though he played all 82 games.

The question is will they be willing to take on that deal knowing they much like Toronto, have a lot of money locked up in Doughty?

It's a possibility, and if the team loses out on adding Mitch Marner this summer, then they may shift gears to another Toronto name.