Morgan Rielly Trade Buzz Heating Up: Could the Maple Leafs Really Move Their Longest-Tenured Player?
Morgan Rielly trade rumors aren’t just background noise anymore-they’re front and center in the Toronto hockey conversation. For the first time in his decade-plus with the Maple Leafs, there’s a real sense that the organization might be open to moving on from its longest-serving player. And while there are plenty of roadblocks standing in the way of a deal, the chatter isn’t slowing down.
Rielly’s performance this season hasn’t lived up to expectations, and the Leafs’ recent stretch of solid play without him in the lineup has only intensified the talk. Add in his $7.5 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause, and you’ve got a complicated situation for GM Brad Treliving to navigate. But complicated doesn’t mean impossible.
So far, the San Jose Sharks have emerged as a potential landing spot. But if Toronto is serious about exploring a post-Rielly future, they’ll need to widen the search. Let’s break down three other teams that could make a play for the 31-year-old defenseman-either ahead of the trade deadline or more likely this offseason.
Vancouver Canucks: A Hometown Connection That Could Finally Click
The Canucks and Rielly have been linked for years, and for good reason. He’s a Vancouver native, and the idea of bringing the local kid home has always held a certain appeal.
Timing, though, has been the issue. Vancouver’s been in and out of rebuild mode, and adding a veteran defenseman with a hefty contract hasn’t always made sense.
But the current state of the Canucks might actually open the door. Yes, they’re tight to the cap right now, but with several big contracts potentially on the move-Jake DeBrusk, Conor Garland, Evander Kane, and even Elias Pettersson-there’s a real chance to create flexibility. Plus, with some money set to come off the books this summer, Vancouver could be in a position to absorb Rielly’s full cap hit.
The Canucks are trying to build something sustainable, and while youth is the focus, every rebuild needs experienced leaders. Rielly fits that bill.
He’s been through the ups and downs in Toronto and could bring valuable leadership to a young group. And if he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause to return home, the pieces could fall into place.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Dubas Connection and a Blue Line in Need
The Penguins make a lot of sense for Rielly, and not just because of their need on the left side of the defense. Former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, now running the show in Pittsburgh, was the architect behind Rielly’s eight-year, $60 million extension back in 2021. That connection alone makes the Penguins a team to watch.
Pittsburgh isn’t hurting for cap space-far from it. They’re projected to have over $50 million available in the offseason, giving them the freedom to take on Rielly’s deal without much maneuvering.
What they do need is stability on the back end. Parker Wotherspoon has done an admirable job stepping into a top-pairing role next to Erik Karlsson, but beyond that, the depth chart gets murky.
Brett Kulak and Ryan Shea are both pending free agents, and Ryan Graves hasn’t exactly lived up to his $4.5 million price tag.
Rielly could slot into a key role immediately, giving the Penguins a much-needed boost as they try to squeeze one more playoff run out of the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin-Kris Letang era. With Dubas holding a solid stash of draft picks, the cost to acquire Rielly might not be prohibitive. And if Rielly is open to a reunion with the GM who backed him-and a chance to chase a Cup with some of the game’s all-time greats-it’s a scenario that could gain traction quickly.
Anaheim Ducks: Building Around a Young Core with Veteran Help
If Northern California isn’t the answer, maybe Southern California is. The Anaheim Ducks have quietly built a roster that blends promising young talent with experienced veterans, and Rielly could be the next piece in that puzzle.
Anaheim has shown it’s not afraid to bring in big contracts if the fit is right. Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba arrived via trade, while Mikael Granlund, Radko Gudas, Alex Killorn, and Ryan Strome were signed in free agency-all to support a growing core of young players. Even after those moves, the Ducks still have the cap space to take on Rielly’s full $7.5 million hit without blinking.
There’s also a real need on the blue line. Gudas and Trouba are both pending UFAs, and Pavel Mintyukov’s name has been floated in trade discussions.
If the Leafs are looking for a younger piece in return, Mintyukov could be part of the conversation. For Anaheim, Rielly would bring experience, leadership, and a steady presence to help guide the next wave of talent.
Would Rielly waive his no-movement clause to head to Anaheim? That’s unclear.
But when you compare it to San Jose, the situations aren’t all that different-both are in California, both are quieter markets, and both offer a fresh start away from the intense pressure of Toronto. For a player who’s carried the weight of high expectations for years, a change of scenery like this could be more appealing than it seems.
What’s Next?
There’s no guarantee Morgan Rielly gets moved, but for the first time, the possibility feels real. The Leafs are at a crossroads, and how they handle Rielly’s future could be a defining moment for the franchise under Brad Treliving. Whether it’s Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, or another team entirely, the market is starting to take shape.
And as the trade deadline approaches, one thing’s for sure: the Morgan Rielly conversation is only just getting started.