Apr 2, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) looks to pass the puck during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Apr 2, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) looks to pass the puck during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs still face many questions this offseason, and the future of Morgan Rielly is one of the biggest. People have talked about a possible trade for weeks, but fewer teams now look like possible destinations.
NHL insider Chris Johnston shared the latest update on The Chris Johnston Show on July 2, explaining why one team is no longer seen as a likely landing spot.
"I still expect him likely to be moved, I know there's still hope that it can happen," he said.
As reported by David St-Jean on Marketzone, the Toronto Maple Leafs still may trade Morgan Rielly before the season starts, but it is getting harder to find a deal. Fewer teams now want to take on his contract.
Mar 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) shoots the puck against the New York Rangers during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Mar 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) shoots the puck against the New York Rangers during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
"The Sharks went off the board as a possibility when they traded for Darnell Nurse and signed Jacob Trouba," Johnston added on the same podcast.
The San Jose Sharks were once seen as a possible landing spot. Adding Darnell Nurse through a trade and signing Jacob Trouba in free agency made their defense stronger and reduced their need for another high-paid defenseman. So they are no longer a realistic trade partner for Toronto.
This is a problem for the Maple Leafs because Rielly has a $7.5 million cap hit, and it is becoming harder to find a team willing to take that contract.
Toronto still faces hurdles beyond finding a trade partner
Rielly ended the 2025-26 season with 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 78 games, along with a minus-18 rating. The Toronto Maple Leafs also had a tough season, finishing 32-36-14. These results make it harder for Toronto to get strong trade value for him this offseason.
Johnston also pointed to another issue. In June, he said on X that Rielly had not agreed to waive his no-movement clause. He also said reports claiming otherwise were wrong. This means any trade would still need Rielly’s approval.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have already started changing their roster under new general manager John Chayka, but Rielly’s future is still unclear. With one possible destination now gone and his contract protection still active, Toronto may have fewer real trade options than expected.
The next few weeks will be important. The Toronto Maple Leafs may either find a good trade partner or start the season with Rielly still on their roster.
What do you think? Will the Maple Leafs find another trade partner before the offseason market gets smaller? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at the NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar