The Toronto Maple Leafs saw their season unravel quickly, finishing 32-36-14 and last in the Atlantic Division. With the campaign marred by disappointment, the organization now heads into a crucial offseason searching for answers, and potential roster changes could follow.
Uncertainty Around $60M Leafs D-Man Morgan Rielly
One player at the center of the speculation is Morgan Rielly. The defenseman has four years left on his $60 million deal which includes a full no-movement clause for the next two seasons. The final two years are converted into a 10-team no-trade clause, making any potential move more complicated.
This season proved challenging for the veteran blue-liner, particularly defensively, as he finished with a minus-18 rating. As the team struggled, Rielly’s name surfaced in trade discussions around the March deadline, though no deal materialized.
Now, with organizational changes underway, including the departure of general manager Brad Treliving, more roster adjustments could be coming. And Rielly remains part of that conversation.
NHL insider Darren Dreger added fuel to the speculation, saying, “I think Morgan Rielly is somewhere else next year.”
While that viewpoint reflects growing uncertainty, any move would be complicated by both the contract and the player’s trade protection.
During his season-ending media availability, Rielly acknowledged that change is possible after a disappointing year. He noted that such conversations had not yet taken place but that players must be prepared for potential adjustments.
“It’s not the first time that it’s crossed my mind. It’s not something anyone believes that they’re not open to. So when that conversation happens, we’ll deal with it accordingly,” Rielly added.
Moving Rielly would not be simple, financially. His contract has an average annual value of $7.5 million, so moving him could require retaining part of his salary. If Toronto retained up to half, the club could still be responsible for roughly $15 million over the remaining years, a significant commitment even after moving the player.
Despite the challenges, some teams may view Rielly as a capable top-four defenseman who could benefit from a change of scenery and a different role.
While speculation continues, Rielly made it clear he values his time in Toronto. “I’ve always loved being in Toronto and being a part of this organization…. I’ve always wanted to stay. I still want to stay. I love playing here, I love being a Maple Leaf, and this organization means a lot to me,” he said.
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For now, his future is uncertain. With the Maple Leafs set to explore all options this summer, the coming months will determine whether he stays in Toronto or becomes a major offseason move.
