There’s been some buzz lately out of Toronto sports radio that’s caught the attention of NHL fans on both sides of the country - and it centers around a hypothetical blockbuster swap: Darnell Nurse for Morgan Rielly. It’s a trade proposal that has no traction (yet) beyond the airwaves, but it’s one that raises interesting questions about two high-profile defensemen whose play hasn’t quite lived up to expectations this season.
The idea was floated on the Real Kyper & Bourne Show, where former NHL coach and GM Doug MacLean gave a surprisingly enthusiastic endorsement of the concept - at least from the Maple Leafs’ point of view. Co-host Nick Kypreos kicked things off by pointing out the similarities between Nurse and Rielly: both talented blueliners, both underperforming lately, and both locked into hefty contracts with no-movement clauses. The question posed was simple: Could a change of scenery help both players reset?
MacLean didn’t hold back. While acknowledging Nurse has struggled this season, he still sees upside - especially for a Leafs team that’s been searching for more bite and stability on the back end.
“I’d do it in a heartbeat,” he said of a one-for-one deal. “I’d take a chance.”
Now, let’s be clear: this is all speculative. No one’s suggesting the Oilers or Leafs are actively pursuing this trade. But the fact that it’s even being discussed publicly by someone with MacLean’s background speaks to the broader conversation surrounding both players.
Let’s start with Nurse. He’s been one of the most polarizing figures in Edmonton over the past few seasons.
Last year, he played arguably the best two-way hockey of his career during the regular season - strong in transition, physical in the defensive zone, and capable of eating big minutes. But when the playoffs rolled around, the wheels came off.
Again. It marked his fourth straight postseason where he was on the wrong side of too many high-danger chances and goals against.
And unfortunately for the Oilers, that trend has bled into this season.
That said, there have been signs of life in his game lately. If Nurse can simplify - focus on positional defense, use his physicality to punish opposing forwards, and move the puck quickly and cleanly - he still has the tools to be a difference-maker.
That version of Nurse could help any team, including the Leafs. But that version has to show up consistently, especially when it matters most: the playoffs.
As for Rielly, MacLean’s comments suggest the Leafs’ long-time cornerstone on the blue line might be nearing the end of his rope in Toronto. Now 31, Rielly’s been a fixture in the Leafs’ top four for nearly a decade.
But MacLean questioned whether he’s still a top-four caliber defenseman at this stage of his career. That’s a bold statement, especially considering Rielly’s still producing offensively - 20 points in 24 games this season - and continues to be leaned on in key situations.
But offense has never been the issue for Rielly. It’s his play without the puck that’s under the microscope. If his defensive game has slipped to the point where a respected former GM is openly suggesting the Leafs should move on, that says something about how he’s being perceived around the league - fairly or not.
The contracts complicate things. Nurse carries a $9.25 million cap hit, Rielly is at $7.5 million.
Both deals run through the 2029-30 season. And while each has a no-movement clause, those clauses don’t last forever.
Rielly’s expires in two and a half years, Nurse’s in a year and a half. After that, they each submit a list of 10 teams they can’t be traded to - which does open the door, at least slightly, for potential movement down the line.
But here’s the real bottom line: if Darnell Nurse finds his game - the physical, dependable, stay-at-home version that Oilers fans have been waiting to see in the postseason - all this trade chatter goes quiet. He’s still a big-minute defender with rare athleticism and a willingness to play with an edge. If he can put it all together under Paul Coffey’s continued guidance and carry that into the 2026 playoffs, he’ll be exactly the kind of player Edmonton needs.
But if it’s another postseason where he’s chasing the play, giving up Grade A chances, and struggling to find his footing, then the calls for change will only get louder - and Nurse himself might be the one ready for a fresh start.
Same goes for Rielly. Toronto’s window is open, but their margin for error is razor thin. If they believe a shakeup on the blue line could help them finally get over the hump, a move involving one of their longest-tenured players might not be out of the question.
For now, it’s just radio talk. But sometimes, that’s where the smoke starts - and in the NHL, it doesn’t take much for it to turn into fire.