Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs top defenseman could be moved as trade chip after Kevin Bieksa's analysis

Originally posted on Hockey Patrol | By Chris Gerics | Last updated Jan 27, 2025 8:02 AM ET

NHL analyst Kevin Bieksa hinted at a potentially huge shift for the Maple Leafs as Morgan Rielly's tenure could come to an end as the team looks to solidify its spot.

As the longest-tenured member of the team, Rielly has earned the admiration and respect of his peers and fans. This year, however, it's been a struggle, and amid a severely regressed defensive game and a lack of offensive production, it's led to his demotion from the first PP unit.

NHL analyst Kevin Bieksa believes that Rielly is entering desperation mode, and if the Toronto Maple Leafs longtime blueliner can't turn it around, then it might be the end.

Kevin Bieksa believes Morgan Rielly's confidence is waning

Bieksa, speaking during Hockey Night in Canada's intermission, touched on Rielly's change of equipment and wondered if he's trying to do something different to bring his game back:

"I know the Morgan Rielly I played with always used white tape on a stick the World Championship," Bieksa said. "There's always white. I've never, ever seen him with anything other than, until recently, black tape. That makes me think he's looking for something different."

Something different could be trying to add more offense and keep the puck as hidden as possible, or just wanting a change of feeling; Rielly is hoping it pulls him out. While not a terrible year, it's not the type of season fans expect.

His defense has been awful, but he has five goals and 17 assists in 50 games, though that comes with a -16 rating.

He's already matched last season's giveaways with 32 more games to go, he's not hitting and playing the least amount of minutes since 2014-15.

Bieksa also believes that there could be an issue with Rielly's confidence this season and wonders what's next for the defenseman.

"He's looking for a different look, a different spark. And I wonder, is the confidence wavering a little bit? Still, a great player still having a decent season. But I think you're going to start to start to see more and more and not down the stretch."

Leafs fans would like to see more now rather than later, as Toronto is currently in the middle of a rough stretch where it has lost two in a row, outscored 7-2, and its once staunch defense has been unable to contain opponents.

But the thing is, Rielly isn't cheap. He costs the team $7.5M for the next five years, and if his production is already dropping significantly, how bad could it get in the future?

He's already 30, coming out of his prime. Though he can contribute, he isn't playing near his value whatsoever.

In his 12-year NHL career (all spent with Toronto), he has 85 goals and 409 assists in 841 games since being drafted fifth overall but has a career -31 and often had to carry the load with some pretty brutal defensive partners.

If Rielly's tape change can lead to good things, that can only mean Toronto gets even more dangerous; however, if he doesn't, then Toronto should look to cut the dead weight before it pulls it under and can't get out.

This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.

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