The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to make major changes this offseason after a disappointing year that ended without a playoff appearance. With a new front office led by John Chayka and Mats Sundin, trade speculation has already started heating up around the roster.
One of the latest rumors involves a potential blockbuster swap with the Edmonton Oilers involving a $74 million defenseman, but a Toronto insider says the deal is unlikely to happen.
Toronto Maple Leafs Unlikely to Pursue $74M Oilers Defenseman
The player at the center of the speculation is Darnell Nurse, who is entering the fourth year of his eight-year, $74 million contract, and he carries a full no-movement clause through the 2026-27 season.
Trade rumors have recently linked Nurse to the Maple Leafs in a potential swap involving Morgan Rielly, who is also in the fourth year of his own eight-year, $60 million contract and has trade protection as well.
Both defensemen struggled during the season with their respective teams. Nurse finished with 24 points and a minus-12 rating, while Rielly recorded 36 points and a minus-18 rating.
If both players were ever willing to waive their clauses, the move could potentially offer each defenseman a much-needed fresh start.
However, Toronto insider Luke Fox doesn’t believe the Leafs would seriously entertain the idea. “The man is deeply loyal and still one of the Leafs’ best offensive threats from the back. Yet a change of scenery feels due. I got sent a note: “Rielly for Darnell Nurse: Who says no?” The Leafs say no. They need puck movers. Only with more coming in do they move Rielly, who will call his own shot here,” Fox said.
The situation also carries some historical sensitivity because of Sundin’s own experience in Toronto. During his final season with the Maple Leafs, former GM Brian Burke famously asked Sundin to waive his no-trade clause, something Sundin clearly did not appreciate at the time.
When recently asked whether he would ever put a Leafs player in that same situation, Sundin admitted he wasn’t sure he would.
That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean Toronto won’t consider moving Rielly this offseason.
Following a disappointing year, Rielly openly acknowledged during his exit interview that changes are expected after a season like this. He also admitted he understands his name could surface in trade discussions.
“I think as an athlete, you have to be prepared for that. It’s not the first time that it’s crossed my mind, that’s not something that anyone believes that they’re not open to. So when that conversation happens, we’ll deal with it accordingly,” Rielly said.
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For now, a direct swap between Nurse and Rielly appears unlikely. Still, with the Maple Leafs expected to reshape parts of their roster this summer, Rielly’s long-term future in Toronto remains something to watch closely.
