Report: Maple Leafs’ Rielly submits ‘Western Conference heavy’ trade list

The wheels are well in motion regarding the longest-standing member of the Toronto Maple Leafs changing his address.

According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly is open to the idea of a trade. LeBrun noted that Rielly, who has a full no-move clause, has submitted a list of teams that he’d be interested in going to, many of which are in the Western Conference.

LeBrun mentioned that there are a couple of teams in the Pacific Division that might be potential destinations for the veteran rearguard.

“Morgan Rielly, as Jonas Siegel reported last week, is open to a move. My sense is that teams like San Jose and Anaheim would be high on his list,” LeBrun said. “Certainly, I know for a fact, he sent a Western Conference heavy list, suggested list to the Leafs, Morgan Rielly did, so we’ll see what the Leafs will do with that.”

Rielly has been with the Leafs organization since he was taken fifth overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. He made his debut during the 2013-14 campaign and has seen plenty of highs and lows over his 13 seasons with the club. 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.

The past few campaigns have been rough for the Vancouver native. While Toronto has maintained its status as a strong squad that has always seemed to be a Stanley Cup Playoff contender, Rielly’s game has taken a dip. Despite scoring 11 goals and 36 points this past season, he posted a plus/minus of -18, the second-worst rating of his tenure with the Leafs.

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 NMC until the final year of the contract.