Veteran Maple Leafs defenseman linked to trade, but major obstacles exist

Toronto Maple Leafs defender Morgan Rielly appears on a list of players who could be traded before the start of the 2025-26 season. His name has been cited in a lot of rumors recently, even though he's the most veteran player of the team, selected in the 2012 draft. Elite Prospects' Cam Robinson included Rielly's name on his list. But there are some strong reasons to believe that he will remain at Toronto.

Rielly, 31, has decreased his relevance within the team, especially in the power play, where his ice time went down to two minutes per game last season. That lack of confidence from coach Craig Berube translated to the worst offensive stats in the last eight years.

Maple Leafs defender Morgan Rielly's massive contract limits his trade options

That said, he still has five years left on his contract with the Leafs, with a salary of around $7.5 million per season. Something that makes it very difficult for other teams to sign him. Rielly has a full no-movement clause, so he has some level of control in any potential trade. For this to happen, various factors need to align: the player's desire, the interest of a team with big financial capability and Toronto finding a replacement.

Robinson explained in his article that there's a chance for the Maple Leafs to sign another offensive defender, but he didn't mention any team interested in assuming Rielly’s massive contract. So, even though the rumor is real, his salary, his no-movement clause and his bad offensive performance are as well, making a trade highly unlikely.