NHL Trade Buzz: Rielly Rumors Heat Up, McMann Impresses Oilers, and Market Prices Soar
With the NHL trade deadline looming, the market is starting to take shape-and Toronto might just be at the center of it all. The Maple Leafs are trending toward selling, and while that’s not a shock given their cap situation and playoff uncertainty, the names being floated are raising eyebrows.
One in particular? Morgan Rielly.
Could Morgan Rielly Be California-Bound?
Rielly’s name surfacing in trade chatter is significant, not just because of what he means to the Leafs on the ice, but because of what he represents in the locker room. He’s been a cornerstone in Toronto for over a decade, and moving him would signal a serious shift in direction.
One team being linked to Rielly is the San Jose Sharks. On paper, it makes sense.
The Sharks are light on NHL-caliber defensemen signed beyond this season-just two under contract for next year-and with the salary cap set to spike, they’ll need to hit the rising floor somehow. Rielly’s $7.5 million cap hit would help them do that, and they’ve got the space to absorb it without sending much back.
But here’s the wrinkle: Rielly has a full no-movement clause through 2027-28. That means any deal hinges entirely on his willingness to leave Toronto.
At 31, he’s not a rental-he’s a long-term commitment, and any acquiring team would need to be certain he’s on board for the ride. Still, if the Leafs are truly open to moving him, San Jose could be an ideal fit.
Bobby McMann Makes His Case
While Rielly’s future is clouded in uncertainty, Bobby McMann is doing everything he can to make his next move a sure thing. In Tuesday night’s 5-2 win over the Oilers, McMann put on a show-scoring an empty-net goal, buzzing all over the ice, and generating more shots on goal (five) than any other Leaf.
What made the performance even more intriguing? Edmonton was watching closely.
The Oilers are in the market for depth scoring, and McMann’s Alberta roots, $1.35 million cap hit, and ability to play up and down the lineup make him a natural target. He brings speed, tenacity, and a north-south game that could fit well alongside the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
The comparison to Zach Hyman is a lofty one, but not entirely off-base. Like Hyman, McMann hunts pucks, wins battles, and plays with a motor that doesn’t quit. If the Leafs are indeed open for business, McMann may have just increased his value with a timely audition.
Around the League: Thomas, Coleman, and Panarin
Elsewhere, the trade market is heating up-and so are the price tags.
Robert Thomas remains a hot name, but according to reports, the asking price is sky-high-think three top-15 first-round picks. That’s the kind of demand that turns most GMs from interested to hesitant in a hurry.
Thomas is young, skilled, and signed long-term, so it’s no surprise his current team is setting the bar high. Still, it’s hard to see many teams meeting that price unless they’re absolutely convinced he’s the missing piece.
Blake Coleman, on the other hand, looks much more likely to move. With a list of 10 potential destinations and at least one team reportedly ready to make an offer too good to pass up, Coleman could be on the move soon. He’s a proven playoff performer with a versatile game, and contenders will be lining up for that kind of experience.
Then there’s Artemi Panarin. The Florida Panthers were once seen as a frontrunner, but that’s no longer the case.
Whether it’s cap constraints or concerns about fit, they’ve reportedly bowed out of the sweepstakes. That opens the door for other teams to make a push, but it also raises questions about where Panarin’s market truly stands.
He’s still an elite winger, but finding the right situation-both financially and structurally-might not be as easy as expected.
As the trade deadline approaches, the NHL landscape is shifting fast. Toronto could be a major player, both in terms of who they move and what they get back.
Whether it’s a blockbuster involving Rielly or a smart depth deal with McMann, the Leafs are a team to watch. And across the league, the stakes are rising.
Buyers are circling, sellers are positioning, and the next few weeks could reshape the playoff picture in a big way.