Morgan Rielly tops insider's offseason trade bait board

Morgan Rielly is listed as a leading trade target for the upcoming NHL offseason as Toronto looks to revamp its blue line. After nearly 1,000 games with the Maple Leafs, his long tenure makes a potential departure feel increasingly realistic. Rielly’s most recent season was difficult, with his defensive play drawing heavy scrutiny and his foot speed appearing to falter at times. Toronto finished with 78 points and missed the postseason, putting core players under review. Rielly has four years remaining on an eight-year, $7.5 million per year contract signed in 2021, including a full no-move clause, which gives him significant control over any trade. Teams with cap space, such as the San Jose Sharks, and teams like the Calgary Flames that could absorb the contract while acquiring assets are potential fits.

"Since John Chayka took over the reins in Toronto and spoke openly of wanting to revamp the blue line, it felt like Rielly's tenure in Toronto would inevitably become a story. After nearl y 1000 games with the franchise, the thought of the Maple Leafs moving on from a veteran who has been there the longest of any player in franchise history does feel very real now."

"Rielly is coming off of a tough season. That cannot be stated more clearly. The play of his defensive game was all the talk during his season and with how far the Maple Leafs would eventually fall. Ultimately missing the postseason entirely, his foot speed looked like it was starting to falter at points in the year. In a season where the Maple Leafs finished with only 78 points, pretty much every one of the core pieces was subject to scrutiny."

"The 29-year-old has four years left on the eight-year contract he signed in 2021 for $7.5 million per year. With an eight-year, $7.5 million contract and a full no-move clause, the decision really does come down to Rielly himself. Any potential trade partner has to consider that."

"There have been a few teams linked to Rielly; the most obvious one would be the San Jose Sharks, who do have a ton of cap space and could use a veteran defensemen like him. Another team that could make sense is the Calgary Flames, who could take his contract and pry an asset or two"

Read at Editor In Leaf