After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, the Maple Leafs are heading into what could become one of the most aggressive offseasons in franchise history.
With new general manager John Chayka taking control, no major roster decision appears off the table, and now, one longtime cornerstone carrying a $60 million contract is suddenly generating serious trade buzz around the league.
New Leafs Regime May Push $60M Star Out
The player generating the most speculation is veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly, who still has four years remaining on his eight-year, $60 million contract.
For years, the idea of Rielly leaving Toronto felt impossible. He held a full no-movement clause and repeatedly made it clear he wanted to stay with the Maple Leafs long term.
But after a difficult season, the conversation has started to shift. Rielly finished the year with 36 points in 78 games while also posting a minus-18 rating, his worst mark since 2017. His defensive struggles became a major talking point throughout the season, only fueling speculation that Toronto could consider moving him as part of a larger reset under the new regime.
NHL insider Darren Dreger believes Toronto is expected to approach Rielly soon about the possibility of a trade. “The expectation, I’m sure, from Morgan, certainly by those close to him, is that the Leafs are going to come to him at some point and open that door to the possibility of a trade. You know, he has trade protection, so if and when, and it’s expected they will come to him, then the process kicks into another gear,” Dreger said.
“And then, you start discussing, okay, well, if you’re coming to us, does that mean that there are teams that have expressed interest in Morgan at this point, and if so, who are those teams?” he added.
Because of his trade protection, Rielly would have significant control over the process and could ultimately decide which destinations he would consider.
Even with his $7.5 million cap hit running through 2030, Rielly would still attract strong interest across the league. Teams looking for an experienced puck-moving defenseman with deep playoff experience are expected to check in with Toronto this offseason.
One team already closely tied to the rumors is the San Jose Sharks, which is searching for major blue-line upgrades and has the cap flexibility to absorb a contract of that size.
There’s also growing belief around the league that if Rielly agrees to waive his trade protection, he would likely prefer a move to a Western Conference team.
For Toronto, moving Rielly would represent far more than just a hockey trade. He has been one of the faces of the franchise for over a decade and remains the longest-tenured player in the organization.
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But with a new management group now taking over and pressure building after a disastrous season, it increasingly feels like the Maple Leafs could be preparing for the end of an era.
