While it seems unlikely that the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade Morgan Rielly this off-season. The possibility is there, and with the salary cap being the way that it is, Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas may have no choice.
Morgan Rielly is entering his final season on his current contract, which is extremely team-friendly, making it likely he stays with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Now, according to Pierre LeBrun from TSN, Rielly has stated he is willing to take a pay cut to stay in Toronto. It has been rumored that if Toronto can not get Rielly signed to an extension before the NHL draft on July 23rd, they might trade him for picks or prospects to remove his $5 million from their cap, though it makes little sense for a Cup contending team to move it’s best defenseman for prospects, that is the rumour.
Here is a look at a few teams Toronto could trade Rielly to and the possible return they might receive.
Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Morgan Rielly To The Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings could be the perfect trade partner for Kyle Dubas to work with. They have tons of cap space, lots of draft picks, and a lack of defensive depth.
According to Capfriendly.com, the Red Wings have just over $48 million in cap space. They also have seven draft picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft. Those two things, combined with them only having three defensemen under contract for the 2021-22 season, makes them a great trade partner.
A possible trade between the two teams could see the Toronto Maple Leafs receive a first-round pick (#22), which Detroit got from the Washington Capitals, and restricted free agent Tyler Bertuzzi.
The first-round pick would replace the pick Toronto gave to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Nick Foligno. Bertuzzi would give Toronto some added scoring depth as a player who can put up 20 goals a season.
Bertuzzi recently had back surgery, so this may be a risky move. If Detroit is unwilling to trade Bertuzzi, Toronto could ask for one of Detroit’s two picks in the third round.
Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Morgan Rielly To The Arizona Coyotes
Due to tampering charges, the Arizona Coyotes do not have a first-round pick in this year’s draft. They do have two picks in the second round that Toronto could target as part of a deal. Just like Detroit, they also have a lot of cap space and spots on their defense that need to be filled.
There has been speculation that Toronto was interested in Conor Garland back at the trade deadline. So they could target him in a possible trade. Garland is not the same caliber of player that Bertuzzi is so, Toronto could ask for more in this deal.
A possible deal could see the Toronto Maple Leafs receive Conor Garland, the Coyotes second-round pick, and the Pittsburgh Penguin’s fourth-round pick. Garland, who is an RFA, could give Toronto a potential 20 goal scorer for years to come. Kyle Dubas would also be able to add another second-round pick for this draft and recoup the fourth-round pick he traded away.