Morgan Rielly Among Two Maple Leafs Defenseman Reportedly Placed on the Trading Block
Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
All options are on the table as the Leafs look to make a significant change to their roster, which has led to two defensemen landing on the first 'Trade Bait' board.
On Monday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman identified only four Maple Leafs (five if you count Easton Cowan) that are essentially untouchable as they try to shake up their roster.
Following Tuesday's morning skate, GM Brad Treliving spoke to reporters, admitting that while he believes in the team and coaching staff, he continues to look at trades that he feels could improve the team.
Brandon Carlo's Name Once Again in Trade Rumours
Over the summer, it was rumoured that the Leafs attempted to land J.J. Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a package that included the recently acquired Brandon Carlo.
Unfortunately, that deal never materialized, and reports had surfaced that the Leafs are having buyer's remorse and trying to move on from the 28-year-old. That may be harder to do now, with Carlo landing on injured reserve on Monday.
While the rumours of Carlo being shopped persist, The Athletic's Chris Johnston unveiled his first 'Trade Bait' board of the season, with Carlo landing inside the top-10 at number 9.
"Carlo is among a small handful of players who could bring the struggling Leafs back surplus value in a shakeup deal," wrote Johnston.
Morgan Rielly Also Listed Among Leafs Defenseman Who Could Be Moved
Carlo wasn't the only Leafs blueliner on Johnston's list, as his partner, Morgan Rielly found himself at number 25.
After reinventing himself in the off-season, Rielly is having his best offensive start in years, leading the Leafs' blueline with 16 points already.
A full no-movement clause makes any deal involving the former first-round pick nearly impossible, despite many begging for the club to deal him.
As a team that was desperate for production from their back end last season, it makes zero sense to deal your best offensive defenseman when you don't have much -- if anything to replace him with.
How the team performs over the next few weeks will play a major factor in how Treliving addresses his team's needs and if there will be and significant changes to the roster.
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