Auston Matthews may have just poured a little more fuel on the Morgan Rielly rumor mill.
Rielly has sat in Toronto Maple Leafs trade chatter for three seasons now, and Matthews’ recent comments only gave those whispers more oxygen. Asked by Sportsnet about his celebrations with Rielly, Matthews didn’t just toss off a quick answer. He went into detail about how close the two have been since his first years in Toronto.
“I remember that moment with Mo, because, I mean, he's always been my guy, but especially my first year, my first couple years, we spent so much time together and I feel like he just kind of took me under his wing, he took such good care of me, especially in my first couple years, just trying to find your footing and just get acquainted with life in the NHL as a teenager and as a kid. So, that was a really special moment, too, just because he's one of my closest friends today but I knew back then how close we already were, so [to have] that moment, it was obviously really special.”
The comments landed with real weight. They were warm, personal and hard to miss, especially with Rielly already being linked to trade speculation. That’s part of why one fan on X floated a theory that Matthews’ bond with Rielly may be a major reason Toronto still hasn’t moved him.
It’s a notable idea, but there’s a bigger obstacle staring everyone in the face: Rielly’s no-movement clause.
He has been firm about not wanting to waive it, even with the Leafs asking him to do so repeatedly. Under Brad Treliving, he would not waive it. This summer, after more conversations with John Chayka, he still remained with Toronto.
At this point, a trade feels unlikely unless something truly drastic happens.
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Bo Groulx Suddenly Looks Like A Leaf Fighting For His Spot
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Groulx has yet to record a point in five games this year, and his NHL resume still sits at 10 points in 83 games. For a team that is always weighing depth, fit and long-term flexibility, a decision like this can hint at bigger conversations ahead, including the possibility that Toronto is already exploring other options for how to shape the roster. [Read more 🡒]