The NHL offseason is always a time of speculation and potential changes for teams looking to improve their roster. One team that has been the subject of trade rumors is the Toronto Maple Leafs, specifically regarding their defenseman Morgan Rielly.
After being eliminated from the playoffs in the second round by the Panthers, the Maple Leafs are facing another early playoff exit. This has led to discussions among analysts about potential changes to the team’s defensive core. On TSN’s FanDuel Overdrive, analysts Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan discussed the possibility of trading Rielly to shake up the defense.
Rielly, who is signed to an 8-year, $60 million contract that runs through 2029-30 and includes a full no-trade clause, would need to approve any trade. However, at 31 years old, he could fetch a significant return for the Maple Leafs. The analysts pointed out that trading Rielly could open up room to bring in a true number one defenseman, which the team may be lacking.
Analyst Frank Corrado agreed that trading Rielly would represent a significant change for the Leafs and emphasized the importance of landing a true number one defenseman if such a move were to be made. He explained that the team already has enough depth on defense and adding another third-pairing type player wouldn’t make sense.
In addition to Rielly, analyst Jamie McLennan highlighted Brandon Carlo as a potential trade option for the Maple Leafs. Carlo, who has two years left on his deal at $3.8 million, is seen as a solid defensive player with less trade protection compared to Rielly. However, analyst Bryan Hayes urged caution, pointing out that the team had recently made a significant trade involving Fraser Minten and a first-round pick, suggesting it might be premature to make another big move so quickly.
Overall, the consensus among the analysts is that the Maple Leafs should focus on upgrading their defense by potentially trading Rielly or exploring other options like Carlo. With players like Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe unlikely to be moved, the team will need to carefully consider their options as they look to improve their defensive core in the offseason.
