The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to hold on and hope that the tide turns after their slow start to the season. A solid run of points picked up in early December got things looking good, but they have quickly collapsed again thanks to a 1-4-1 in the last six games.
As a result, frustration has reached a boiling point in Leafs Nation, with fans becoming increasingly uncomfortable and calling for change throughout the organization. That’s easier said than done, but they could get their wish when it comes to shaking up the core, especially when it comes to Morgan Rielly.
Toronto’s longest-tenured player was urged to enter this season ready to return to his All-Star form. While he started strong and has shown flashes of quality play, that hasn’t been nearly enough, especially lately. That’s why insider David Pagnotta believes the Maple Leafs could – and should – become more aggressive in pushing Rielly to potentially waive his no-movement clause.
said Pagnotta:
“I wouldn’t be shocked if we heard his name pop up again. But he has a complete no-move and he made it clear to them in the summer, or in the run-up to the summer, that he didn’t want to waive his no-movement clause. I don’t know if that’s changed, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring up that subject if they haven’t already. Because something so maginutous has to happen for this team, you can’t keep blaming the coaching staff.”
The 31-year-old Rielly is in year four of the eight-year, $60 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2021. He has returned offensively so far in 2025-26, with 24 points (five goals, 19 assists) in 34 games.
Potential landing spots for Morgan Rielly
This is where it gets tricky. Which team is going to take on Rielly for another four and a half years at $8 million a year? It’s a tough question, but there are plenty of desperate teams in the NHL, so there would undoubtedly be candidates out there.
The Anaheim Ducks have weaponized their cap space in recent years to add veteran players, a strategy that is starting to pay off, and they have room for another one in Rielly. Seattle and Utah are two other Western Conference teams that could use a boost on defense and make the money work. There’s also the possibility of a reunion with former general manager Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh, where the left side of the blue line is in desperate need of help.
Not to mention the possibility of a team emerging out of left field, as we just saw when the Minnesota Wild swooped in to land Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes.
It takes creativity from everyone involved to get anything done, but at this point, both Rielly and the Maple Leafs would be best served by parting ways after a twelve-and-a-half-year partnership.
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