Vancouver Native & Long-Time Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman Reportedly Lands on Trade Block
Photo credit: Global News
A Vancouver, British Columbia native and long-time member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization has reportedly landed on the trade block this summer.
As the Vancouver Canucks evaluate their options heading into the offseason, with the need for a second line centerman, depth defenseman and potentially even a top-six winger, if Brock Boeser leaves, could Patrik Allvin make an even bigger move and bring in someone to play in the team's top-four on the blueline?
After another disappointing run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which concluded with a loss in Game 7 of the second round to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, there's an expectation that change will be coming in Toronto and rumors are swirling about a long-time member of the team being placed on the NHL's trade block.
Vancouver native Morgan Rielly reportedly lands on NHL's trade block heading into the offseason
As soon as the Maple Leafs' run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs came to a close, many were wondering if Morgan Rielly's time with the organization was over and if the team would be moving on from his in the offseason.
Last week, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff suggested that the Maple Leafs should look into the possibility of trading Rielly this summer, which would clear up some cap space for General Manager Brad Treliving to work with as he looks to make a big addition on July 1st.
On Tuesday, Seravalli released his offseason edition of the league's top-20 trade targets, which included Thatcher Demko and Elias Pettersson, along with Morgan Rielly, who came in at number 15 on his list.
Seravalli believes that Rielly's game has shown signs of slowing down throughout the 2024-25 season and doesn't believe that he's a great option as the team's quarterback on the first power play unit.
"The Leafs need a puck-moving defenseman, someone who can help get them out of trouble efficiently and exiting the zone with more ease. Rielly isn't that anymore. He's been a fine playoff contributor, surprisingly enough, but he isn't an effective quarterback on the first power play unit and his game showed significant signs of slowing down this season. Should the Leafs make a move before that contract becomes onerous?" Seravalli said.
Could Patrik Allvin pursue a trade for Morgan Rielly?
The Vancouver Canucks aren't really in the market for a top-four defenseman at this point, with Quinn Hughes, Marcus Pettersson, Filip Hronek taking up three of the four spots, along with one of Elias Pettersson, Victor Mancini or Tom Willander.
Quinn Hughes and Marcus Pettersson occupy the two spots on the left side of Vancouver's top-four and unless Morgan Rielly was willing to play the right, it doesn't seem like it would be a good fit.
Rielly, 31, has five years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $7.5 million and a full no-movement clause, which will make things tricky for the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer, if they do move him.
At the end of the day, Morgan Rielly wouldn't make a whole lot of sense for the Vancouver Canucks right now because there isn't a role for him in their top-four, his contract situation and the fact that it won't be cheap to acquire him from Toronto.
Patrik Allvin and the Canucks' management group would be better off using their cap space and assets to acquire help in their top-six forward group than another top-four defenseman at this time.
Source: Daily Faceoff/Frank Seravalli
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