Morgan Rielly wants to be a Maple Leaf ‘as long as I can’
The longest-standing member of the blue and white is grateful to be back in town.
Following the 2025-26 season, many suspected that the Toronto Maple Leafs were en route to parting ways with defenseman Morgan Rielly. Rielly, who was taken by the Original Six franchise fifth overall in the 2012 NHL Draft, has been a the forefront of trade conversations for the last couple of years. His play has diminished, and with the Maple Leafs heading into an offseason of transition, it seemed like there was a path to Rielly finally being on the move.
However, despite reportedly submitting a trade list to the team, Rielly wasn’t dealt and is gearing up for his 14th season in Toronto.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Rielly admitted how happy to remain with the organization.
“It’s not a deep answer or anything. I just love this team,” Rielly said. “Whatever the downs are, the challenges, I think the opportunity and the ups outweigh them. I feel very fortunate to be a Maple Leaf and I want to continue that for as long as I can.”
Rielly made his debut with the Leafs in the fall of 2013, and has been part of the D-corps’ top four ever since. He has seen the organization go from a rebuilding squad to a Stanley Cup contender, as he has competed in the postseason in all but four of his years in Toronto.
“I’m extremely happy and grateful to be here now,” Rielly added. “This is my home. This is the team that I love and would do anything for. So, I feel very grateful to be here and just really excited to get going.”
Last season, when the Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign (Rielly’s third with the franchise), the 32-year-old posted 11 goals and 36 points, the third time in his career he hit double digits in goals. However, his defensive metrics were rough, posting a plus-minus of -18 while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game.
In 951 regular-season games with the Leafs, the Vancouver native has scored 98 goals and 451 assists for 549 points, with another 47 points in 70 postseason contests.
The Leafs kick off their 2026-27 season on Sept. 29 against the Montreal Canadiens.
