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Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Hypothetical Morgan Rielly Trades

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 21: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks to make a play against Seth Jones #3 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jackets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 21: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks to make a play against Seth Jones #3 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jackets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 26: Mattias Ekholm #14 of the Nashville Predators (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rielly for Ekholm and Forsberg

  • Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: Mattias Ekholm, Filip Forsberg
  • Nashville Predators acquire: Morgan Rielly, Alex Kerfoot, Mac Hallowell,  2021 2nd Round Pick, 2022 1st Round Pick (If Rielly re-signs*)

This is a risky trade but it’s a fun trade because it solves two problems that Toronto currently has.

The Leafs need to fix their power-play, especially their defensive scoring on the power-play, and also needs a top-six left-winger. By trading for Ekholm and Forsberg, the team would answer both of those concerns.

The big issue with this trade is that Ekholm and Forsberg are both UFA’s as well. As a result, the team could end up losing them for nothing, but it would make them a better overall team in the 2021-22 season, so it could be well worth it.

I’m not sure if Forsberg is underrated or if people value him as much as I do, but he’s an exceptional talent. At $6M, which would be probably the same amount you’d have to pay Zach Hyman, he’s worth every penny.

Forsberg is a two-time 30-goal scorer, but more importantly, he’s delivered in the playoffs. In 71 career playoff games, he has 28 goals and 52 points (stats: hockeydb.com), and always seems to score in big games.

In addition to Forsberg, at $3.75M, Ekholm is also a steal. Over his career he’s been a power-play point producer, but even more importantly, he has incredible size. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, he would be another big defenseman beside Jake Muzzin and Justin Holl.

3 Hypothetical Trades Leafs Should Make. dark. Next

Trading Rielly is something Toronto doesn’t want to do, but if it comes to a point where they can’t agree on a price, it may make more sense to trade him, instead of keeping him and watch him leave. Rielly is an incredible asset that can help make this team better, so they should trade him to improve the roster if they can’t come to a sensible contract agreement.

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