Insider Floats Nuclear Option for Maple Leafs with Morgan Rielly

Morgan Rielly is the longest-tenured Toronto Maple Leaf, though it doesn’t feel like that’s going to be the case for much longer.

The Maple Leafs approached Rielly last summer about the possibility of a move, and when that was a no-go, they urged him to return to All-Star form this season. While his strong start was promising, it quickly faded, and the star defenseman has since dealt with similar struggles to the year prior.

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A majority of the hockey world believes — and has believed for some time — that Toronto needs to cut bait and move Rielly as soon as possible. The problem, however, remains his full trade protection, which is why on Sunday night, Nick Kypreos floated the one option that Rielly would have no say in: a buyout.

Kypreos said:

“And Morgan Rielly, guys, come on. I mean, is this the year you have a talk with him and convince him to go somewhere else? Do you buy him out? Is that an option? They’re playing tonight against a team that bought out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter with four years left on their deals. You want to talk about bold moves? They made one. Look at the shape they’re in today,”

The 32-year-old Rielly is in year four of the eight-year, $60 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2021, which includes said full no-movement clause through 2027–28. He’s had a tough 2025–26 season, much like the rest of the team, having produced 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists) while sporting a -16 rating across 65 games played.

Could Morgan Rielly Be Bought Out?

Buying Rielly out would be a tough way to end what, overall, has been a tremendous 13-year stint as a Maple Leaf, not to mention the salary-cap implications it would carry for years to come.

Toronto would be stuck paying $3.5 million of Rielly’s $7.5 million cap hit through 2029–30, followed by another $2 million annually for the next four years after his deal expires, ending after the 2033–34 season.

On the surface, that sounds hard to stomach. However, with the rising salary cap and the flexibility the Maple Leafs have moving forward, it’s more plausible than many might think. Finding a trade partner where Rielly is willing to go — Vancouver for Elias Pettersson? — remains the priority and the best option for everyone. But, if that can’t happen, a buyout becomes a legitimate option for Toronto if they truly want to get bold and creative in reshaping their roster this offseason.

Next: Insider Links Two More Teams as Offseason Suitors for Matthew Knies