Analyst Urges the Maple Leafs to Explore Morgan Rielly Trade

Very few teams will be returning from the holiday break with games of more importance than the Toronto Maple Leafs. An up-and-down start to the season—to say the least—has them sitting dead last in the Atlantic Division, with plenty of work to do just to re-enter the playoff hunt.

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If they come back rested and rejuvenated and, in turn, start stacking wins, the noise around major change throughout the organization will quiet down. That said, if we see more of the same in the coming weeks and months, some uncomfortable conversations will need to take place—and Morgan Rielly could be at the forefront.

The longest-tenured Maple Leaf was approached in the offseason about his willingness to move, an idea he had no interest in entertaining. Instead, Rielly was encouraged to arrive for the 2025–26 campaign in the best shape of his career in hopes of reclaiming his status as a number one defenseman.

While it’s certainly been a step up from a difficult 2024-25, Rielly’s play still hasn’t been consistently good enough. As a result, TSN’s Bryan Hayes believes that if Toronto fails to turn things around, they must seriously consider finding a way to move on from the star blueliner, possibly as soon as the trade deadline.

Hayes said:

“If this keeps going south, then you do have to talk about it at the trade deadline, and you absolutely have to explore it in the offseason. He’s just been here for so long, he’s so comfortable… He’s been a great Maple Leaf, but if this is the end of a 10-year era where they finally miss the playoffs, and they do have to re-tool, I think you have to go to the longest-standing Maple Leaf and express the need for change… Not right now, maybe by the trade deadline if it keeps going south, if they miss the playoffs, undoubtedly you’ve got to move off of Morgan Rielly in the summer,”

The 31-year-old is in year four of the eight-year, $60 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs back in 2021. Rielly’s offensive production—24 points (five goals, 19 assists) through 35 games—has been solid, but defensive struggles have persisted, reflected in his minus-8 rating this season.

Morgan Rielly’s Future in Toronto Hangs in the Balance

For the first time in this era of Maple Leafs hockey, it truly feels like we’re nearing a point where a core player could be traded. Rielly may have no desire to leave Toronto, but his play — and the team’s overall performance — could ultimately leave general manager Brad Treliving with little choice.

Of all the team’s star players, Rielly may be the easiest to move without completely upsetting the apple cart, while still attempting to keep the championship window open with Auston Matthews and William Nylander—if it still exists.

The warning signs were already there this summer, so if similar conversations resurface again in the near future, it should come as no surprise to anyone involved.

In the end, it’s up to Rielly and the rest of the core to elevate their game and force management’s hand, because if they don’t, this group may not be together for much longer.

Next: Analyst Calls Out Auston Matthews as Maple Leafs’ Biggest Issue