Morgan Rielly’s name has been floating through the rumor mill all offseason, but Marty Biron doesn’t see Toronto’s failure to move the veteran defenseman as some kind of franchise misstep.
Rielly, 32, carries a no-movement clause and has reportedly given the Maple Leafs a list of four preferred destinations, with the Nashville Predators standing out as one of the more serious possibilities. Still, with Toronto in the middle of a fast-moving rebuild under new GM John Chayka, Biron thinks the Leafs can live with bringing Rielly back if the right deal never materializes.
“I don’t think it’s a failure. Look, you’ve made some moves.
You’ve addressed part of your lineup, and if Morgan really comes back, he comes back. That’s just the way it is.
You’ve got a player who had a bad year, but when you look back at his career, he’s provided some really good play and good offense. Maybe you surround him better.
Maybe you put him in a position to succeed. So that’s interesting,” Biron said on Overdrive.
The money is a big part of why this won’t be simple. Toronto isn’t eager to attach meaningful assets just to move Rielly’s $7.5 million cap hit on his $60 million contract, which means the Leafs are approaching the situation with caution rather than urgency. For now, they appear comfortable keeping him on the blue line next season if no acceptable offer comes through.
Rielly has been in Toronto for more than a decade, and last season he finished with 36 points and 11 goals in 78 games.
Elsewhere, Sid Seixeiro had a blunt message for Senators fans ahead of Brady Tkachuk’s first trip back to Canadian Tire Centre in a different uniform on Oct. 21.
Speaking on his show, Seixeiro urged Ottawa supporters not to repeat what he saw as the Maple Leafs’ mistake with Mitch Marner and to skip any warm welcome for the former captain.
“That overrated snake. Sens fans, don’t Marner this - you’ll regret it.
Have some pride in your market. No video, nothing.
Don’t do what the Leafs did with Marner - that was a joke. Be better.
Don’t get stupid, but let him know you’re there. Don’t bring a sign that says ‘I Love You Brady’ like an eight-year-old.
Get out of here. Don’t do that," said Sid on his pod.
The Senators sent Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster trade last month, setting up a return to Ottawa that figures to draw plenty of attention when October rolls around.
In Other News...
This Wild Leafs Trade Idea Would Divide The Fanbase Fast
A social-media trade idea has been making the rounds involving one of Torontos longest-tenured defensemen and a high-profile veteran forward in Nashville, and it is the kind of proposal that instantly splits a fanbase. On paper, the cap math is not as messy as it might first seem, but the bigger issue is that there is no real indication this is anything more than internet speculation.
No major insider has reported talks, and there is no sign the front offices have actually discussed a deal. Even if the framework were to gain traction, both players hold full no-movement clauses, so any move would require their approval, and Toronto would likely need to add more to the package to get it across the finish line. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Face A Brutal Max Domi Cap Dilemma
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A trade would create a cleaner path, but it would not come cheaply. Moving Domi would likely mean giving up something else of value to make the money work, and the Leafs would still need to keep trimming the roster in other places to stay compliant. For a team trying to preserve flexibility, the choice between a temporary fix and a more painful transaction is exactly the kind of cap squeeze that can shape the rest of the summer. [Read more 🡒]
Another No. 1 Pick Just Sent A Message To Gavin McKenna
As Gavin McKenna gets ready for his first NHL season, he has already heard from a recent No. 1 pick who knows the pressure that comes with the label. Matthew Schaefer, the 2025 top selection and Calder Trophy winner, offered the kind of early guidance that usually matters most to a young player stepping into the league for the first time, urging McKenna to enjoy the experience, stay confident and keep developing with the help of teammates and coaches.
The timing makes the message even more interesting for Toronto fans, because the two are set to meet early in the season and provide an immediate look at how the next wave of talent stacks up. For McKenna, the spotlight will only grow from here, and for Schaefer, it is another reminder that the No. 1 pick conversation does not end on draft night. [Read more 🡒]