Leafs Trying To Find Home For Rielly

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The Toronto Maple Leafs, after the barrage of signings on July 1, adding forwards Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger, Zach MacEwen, and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, and acquiring Nick Paul from Tampa Bay, are right up against the salary cap. The expected departure of defenseman Morgan Rielly may simply be on hold, but GM John Chayka is being very careful in comments after the opening of free agency about the potential of Rielly returning next season.

“In regard to Morgan, we are talking about a really good defenseman, “ Chayka said to Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne on FAN 590 on Thursday. “He’s been a leader, the longest-tenured Leaf. Nothing but total respect for him, but as we look to improve the group, we’ll always consider everything, but at this juncture, Morgan’s a big part of this.”

Rielly reportedly submitted a small list of Western Conference clubs, one of which was assumed to be the San Jose Sharks, but GM Mike Grier added over $17 million with the acquisitions of Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba, which likely takes them out of the mix for the Leafs blueliner. Anaheim has a shortage on the blueline, but reportedly GM Pat Verbeek is not going to add any salary to his payroll until he gets RFA’s Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier signed.

The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported on Thursday that the Philadelphia Flyers may have interest in the 32-year-old, but also indicated that they may be looking for the Leafs to retain salary. That is likely the reason that talks between Edmonton and Philadelphia regarding Nurse died, because the Oilers were looking for a team to take his entire $9.25 million salary. Retaining salary on Rielly’s deal would be a non-starter for the Leafs, since it would be for the next four seasons.

Clearly Chayka is looking for an asset back in a deal for Rielly and is making overtures of being willing to keep him. This is something he should consider, since Rielly is capable of being beneficial to the Leafs in a reduced role, but in the end, Toronto appears ready to move on if they get a deal they can live with.