Report: Morgan Rielly, Leafs discussing ‘possibility of him going elsewhere’ this offseason
Despite being the longest-tenured member of the franchise, the Morgan Rielly era in the Six might be coming to an end.
According to a report from Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, there have been discussions between Rielly’s agent, J.P. Barry and Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor of hockey operations, Mats Sundin, “about the possibility of Rielly going elsewhere this offseason.”
The news comes in the midst of what is going to be a very important offseason for the Maple Leafs. The team is coming off a disastrous 2025-26 campaign, in which it missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season, with former GM Brad Treliving resigning before the end of the season, and Chayka firing head coach Craig Berube.
On top of the front office personnel decisions, there has been chatter about what the roster will look like come training camp next fall. While names like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares are expected to don the blue and white once again, Rielly’s name has come up as one that the team might consider parting with as it explores a retool and a pursuit to become a postseason contender once again.
Rielly has been a part of the organization since he was taken fifth overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. After making his debut a little over a year later, the Vancouver native has been with the Leafs through the highs and lows of the past decade or so. He ranks seventh in franchise history in games played (951) and sixth in assists (451), sitting second all-time in assists and points (549) by a Leafs defenseman, only trailing the late Borje Salming.
However, the past few seasons have been rough for the 32-year-old. While the team has maintained its status as a strong squad that has always seemed a lock for the postseason, Rielly’s game has fallen off year after year. Despite scoring 11 goals and 36 points this past season, he posted a plus/minus of -18, the second-worst rating of his 13-year NHL career.
If a trade were to happen regarding Rielly, the Leafs might have to do some convincing to make it work. Rielly is heading into the fifth season of his eight-year contract extension, signed in October 2021. The deal carries a cap hit of $7.5 million through 2029-30, with a full no-move clause over the next two years. In order for Rielly to waive his NMC, it’s going to have to be to a destination that entices him, or else he’ll be back on the Toronto blue line for a 14th season next October. On the Leafs’ side, given that Rielly is arguably not worth his AAV, they might have to eat some of his contract in order for a potential suitor to agree to the transaction.
Nevertheless, the summer of woe for Toronto could see one of its franchise mainstays heading out the door.