Maple Leafs Rumors: Surprising Projection for Potential Morgan Rielly Trade

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly

The talk of the Toronto Maple Leafs trying to trade Morgan Rielly has been ongoing since about this time last year. The 13-year veteran is a lifelong Leaf and the longest-serving member of the club. Most observers feel, though, that it's time to move on from Rielly and remake the blueline. However, there's the little issue of a hefty contract and a full no-move clause. The 32-year-old has to agree to a deal first.

With a whopping four years remaining on his deal at a $7.5 million cap hit, most pundits have felt that Toronto will have to eat some of that in order to move him. In fact, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos said earlier this month, "the Maple Leafs may need to retain as much as 50 percent of the $7.5 million AAV he has, and throw in a draft pick sweetener."

However, insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, appearing on Daily Faceoff Live this past week, doesn't feel that's the case at all. He has a surprising projection for the Leafs' ability to trade Rielly.

Quite frankly, $7.5 million for Morgan Rielly as a second-pair defenseman, that's solid value...with the way the cap's going up...
I don't think this is a scenario where they're gonna have to eat anything, where they're gonna have to take on money... They're not dealing from a position of a negative.

He then goes on to name one destination that makes a lot of sense for Rielly:

San Jose is going to be looking to augment their defence this off-season. That's a priority for San Jose, re-jigging that blueline. Bringing in a veteran in his early 30s that has term (on his contract), which Morgan fits into... So I certainly see Rielly as a potential fit there.

The Sharks won't be the only young team with cap space that would look at Rielly as a veteran add, even at that price tag. The Chicago Blackhawks could be another, and that's likely not all.

"As many NHL teams have informed me," added Kypreos, "they still see a good and serviceable player in Rielly who could be rejuvenated under the right circumstances."