Maple Leafs GM Says Morgan Rielly Isn’t Going Anywhere. His Words Don’t Match the Noise.

John Chayka came out Thursday and said he doesn’t expect Morgan Rielly to be traded. The Toronto Maple Leafs general manager made that clear. But if you believe the trade chatter around the league, the story might not be over yet.

TSN’s Chris Johnston pushed back on Chayka’s comments during the latest Insider Trading segment. And he didn’t exactly soften the blow.

“I can tell you it would be very premature to take him off your trade bait list at this point, because Morgan Rielly’s name remains very much in play on the trade market,” Johnston said.

That’s pretty direct. Johnston also noted that new Leafs head coach Jim Hiller has a ton of respect for Rielly, and they’ve got history. But Hiller’s job is to coach, not make roster calls. Chayka runs the front office, and he’s still picking up the phone on Rielly.

Here’s the thing though. The Leafs aren’t going to dump him for pennies. Johnston made that part clear too.

“He’s not going to give the player away. So, it’s going to have to be a decent offer that compels the Leafs to act here,” he said. “But with the offseason still in its early phases and the Leafs looking to continue to reshape their blueline, don’t rule out the possibility of a Rielly trade just yet.”

The Numbers and the Timeline

Rielly was taken fifth overall in the 2012 draft. He’s been a Leaf his whole career — 951 regular-season games, which is third all-time among franchise defensemen, and second in points from the blue line. He was part of nine straight playoff appearances from 2017 through 2025.

But the last few years, his defensive game has slipped. The Leafs just added Darren Raddysh in a sign-and-trade with Tampa Bay. That move, combined with Rielly’s struggles in his own end, makes a split feel logical for both sides.

He’s 32 years old. Signed through 2030 with a full no-movement clause. But here’s where it gets interesting. According to reports, Rielly gave the Leafs a list of teams he’d accept a trade to. The Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks are on it — both Western Conference clubs, which fits with what’s been reported about his preferred list being heavy on West teams.

So no, nothing is happening tomorrow. But the offseason just started. The blue line is being reshaped. And the longest-tenured Leaf might not be around when camp opens.