The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be headed for a pretty big shakeup this summer, and it looks like nobody is completely safe. According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, the team is expected to “move out bodies” during the offseason to finally change the mix of the roster.
While fans are used to trade rumours involving the forwards, the biggest surprise here is that veteran defenceman Morgan Rielly could be one of the players on the move.
The End of an Era
If the Maple Leafs actually move Rielly, it would feel like the end of an era in Toronto. He’s been the leader of the defence for over a decade and is the longest-tenured player on the roster. Unfortunately, his game has dropped off over the last few seasons, and now there’s a large part of the fan base calling for a change.
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Moving Rielly comes down to two things. First, he would have to agree to waive his no-movement clause, and second, the money. He makes $7.5 million per season and is signed through 2030. That’s a big commitment, and moving that contract would open up a lot of cap space. Space they could use to target different needs, like helping to revamp the blue line or most importantly, another top-six forward.
Maple Leafs Plan to Change Their Roster
When you hear “moving out bodies,” it’s usually a sign that management is done with how things have gone. Over the past decade, the Maple Leafs have played with the concept of insanity. Each season they’ve put the same team on the ice and expected a different result. Now, finally, without Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews struggling, they can clearly see something needs to change.
Dreger’s report points to a shift in identity. They’ve tried the high-skill, offensive style, and more recently, they’ve looked to add physical, hard-nosed veterans, but neither approach has really clicked. Their focus this summer will likely be finding players who can step into the top six and make an immediate impact.
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To do that, you have to give something up. With Matthews and William Nylander locked into long-term deals and unlikely to be moved unless they ask out, Rielly becomes one of the more realistic big pieces to trade. At this point, they may have to accept they won’t get a massive return for him based on the decline in his play over the last few seasons. But moving him would allow them to clear money off the books. If they can clear space and free up a the $7.5 million from Rielly, the Maple Leafs could use that to go after players who better complement Matthews and Nylander. And, potentially find some success before their window officially closes, if it hasn’t already.
