Insider reveals what the future holds for Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly

He's the longest-serving player on the team, but Morgan Rielly's run with the Toronto Maple Leafs may be coming to an end after the final six games of the regular season.

With the team in desperate need of rebuilding their blueline, they would love to move on from the 13-year veteran. The problem is, he has a full no-move clause, and has stated on numerous occasions that he wants to stay in Toronto—the only NHL city he's ever called home.

However, as noted by insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet, don't expect that NMC to stand in the Leafs way of trying to get a deal done—no matter who's at the helm.

Even without a new GM in place... many industry sources believe the Leafs will still be looking at options to move on from their longest-tenured player. A buyout is unlikely, considering he has four years left on his contract... Expect the club to do its best to convince him to waive (his no-move) to make a creative trade and send him to a place of his liking.

Indeed, Rielly is only halfway through his eight-year, $60 million deal, with a $7.5M AAV. And while there are apparently some suitors interested in a Morgan Rielly, says Kypreos, it won't be at that price.

As many NHL teams have informed me, they still see a good and serviceable player in Rielly who could be rejuvenated under the right circumstances.
But for that to happen, the Maple Leafs may need to retain as much as 50 per cent of the $7.5 million AAV he has, and throw in a draft pick sweetener.

He's on pace to finish with his lowest point-per-game total in a season in ten years, with only 35 points. Last year, he notched 41 points in 82 games and had 58 the year before that. His plus/minus rating of -15 is his worst in nine years.