Massive development in Toronto as trade chatter picks up surrounding Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly
An official report from The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta has confirmed that the Maple Leafs are receiving interest in the longest-tenured Leaf, Morgan Rielly.
The Maple Leafs are about to embark on a 5-game road trip, beginning tonight in Columbus for their final meeting of the season with the Blue Jackets.
Having lost 7 of 8 games, the Leafs are desperate to find a spark, and they have also been contemplating some major changes in order to help kick start a turnaround.
Brandon Carlo not the only Leafs defenseman who may be traded
Defenseman Brandon Carlo has already been mentioned as a likely trade candidate, and he's not the only one. On Wednesday, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta confirmed on a podcast appearance that Morgan Rielly's name is coming up in trade chatter as well.
Unfortunately, the defensive side of his game is still lacking, and a -6 rating is like a dark cloud hovering over what has been a pretty productive season for the former 1st round pick.
Morgan Rielly's full NMC could be a problem
There is one significant detail to note in all of this -- Morgan Rielly is the owner of a full no-movement clause, so if he doesn't want to go anywhere, it's simple: He's not going anywhere.
However, since the Maple Leafs are currently outside of a playoff spot, there is always the chance that the veteran Rielly may opt to leave of his own volition, requesting a deal to a Stanley Cup contender.
Long mis-cast as a true #1 defenseman, the perception of Rielly has always been slightly skewed in Toronto. He's never been an elite defenseman. He'll never be an elite defenseman. However, as a strong #2 or #3 defenseman on a true Stanley Cup contender, Rielly could be a force to be reckoned with.
A Rielly trade provides the Leafs with the potential to add some quality assets
Rielly is one of the few assets that the Maple Leafs have that carries real, tangible value -- so long as he agrees to waive his NMC and gives the Leafs multiple options.
We already know that the team is not moving any of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies and John Tavares, so if Rielly is amenable to the idea of a change of scenery, the potential to add some quality assets is certainly there.
A defenseman of Rielly's caliber, if truly available, should yield at least a 1st round pick, a top prospect and an NHL roster player of a similar age.
It's early, but the fact that we're actually hearing Rielly's name out there, and from a legitimate NHL Insider, does seem like a sign that he could actually be available and potentially even amenable to a move.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily
| POLL |
NOVEMBRE 26 | 1123 ANSWERS Massive development in Toronto as trade chatter picks up surrounding Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly Do you believe Morgan Rielly is quietly being shopped by the Maple Leafs? |
| Yes | 782 | 69.6 % |
| No | 134 | 11.9 % |
| Doesn't matter. He'll block with his NMC | 207 | 18.4 % |
| List of polls |