Insider Expects Trade Talk Around Morgan Rielly To Pick Up

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been trying to stick it out and hope the tide turns on their slow start to the season. A solid stretch of accumulating points in early December had things looking up, but they’ve quickly crashed back down thanks to a 1-4-1 last six games.

As a result, frustration has reached a boiling point in Leafs Nation, with fans growing increasingly uneasy and calling for change throughout the organization. That’s easier said than done, but they could get their wish when it comes to shaking up the core—specifically involving Morgan Rielly.

Toronto’s longest-tenured player was urged to enter this season ready to return to his All-Star form. While he started strong and has shown flashes of quality play, it hasn’t been nearly enough, especially of late. Because of that, insider David Pagnotta believes the Maple Leafs could—and should—get more aggressive in pushing Rielly to potentially waive his no-movement clause.

Pagnotta said:

“I wouldn’t be shocked if we start to hear his name popping up again. But he has a full no-move and he made it clear to them in the summer, or leading into the summer, that he didn’t want to waive his no-movement clause. I don’t know if that’s changed, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they broach that subject if they haven’t done so already. Because something of that maginuted needs to happen for this team, you can’t keep blaming the coaching staff,”

The 31-year-old Rielly is in year four of the eight-year, $60 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs back in 2021. He’s bounced back offensively thus far in 2025-26, having tallied 24 points (five goals, 19 assists) through 34 games.

Potential Landing Spots for Morgan Rielly

This is where it gets dicey. What team is going to take on four and a half more years of Rielly at $8 million annually? It’s a tough question, but there are plenty of desperate teams around the NHL, so suitors would undoubtedly exist.

The Anaheim Ducks have been weaponizing their cap space to add veteran players in recent years, a strategy that’s starting to pay off, and they have the room for another in Rielly. Seattle and Utah are two other Western Conference teams that could use a jolt on defense and make the money work. There’s also the possibility of a reunion with former general manager Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh, where the left side of the blue line is in desperate need of help.

Not to mention the potential for a team to emerge out of left field, as we just saw with the Minnesota Wild swooping in to land Quinn Hughes from Vancouver.

It would take creativity from everyone involved to get something done, but at this point, both Rielly and the Maple Leafs may be best served by parting ways after a 12-and-a-half-year partnership.

Next: Maple Leafs $53M Star The Most Traded Player Trending On PuckPedia