3 Maple Leafs Who Could Be Traded This Summer

The Toronto Maple Leafs have now entered the John Chayka/Mats Sundin era. What a time to be alive in Leafs Nation.

The management duo was introduced at a press conference in Toronto on Monday, and it's obvious there's been a lot of pushback from opposing teams around the league over hiring Chayka back into a GM position, and for Sundin, it's certainly a huge risk to his legacy as a Leaf.

Heading into the offseason, there's going to be significant change coming to the Maple Leafs roster, which includes multiple trades leading up the NHL Draft and free agency on July 1. Here's three Maple Leafs who are expected to be traded before the start of next season:

Morgan Rielly

The time is now to ask Rielly for a list of teams he'd approve a trade to, and Chayka could be the guy to do it. Rielly's game has declined a ton over the last couple of seasons, and if Chayka wants some financial flexibility, he's going to be best served to get rid of Rielly at pennies on the dollar. Seattle, Vancouver, San Jose and Calgary could be in play here.

Nick Robertson

Robertson knows his future with the Leafs organization is in limbo, and he was very frank about it during his exit meetings with the media. Robertson's asked for a trade from the organization more than once and each time it's been declined. As a pending restricted free agent, and with no spot for him in the Leafs' top six, look for Robertson to be moved for a puck-moving defenceman this summer.

Simon Benoit

William Nylander and Auston Matthews both asked for a new defence core during their exit interviews with management and the coaching staff, so it's obvious there's some serious change coming to the back end of the Leafs lineup. Benoit doesn't fit in anymore. Toronto needs more two-way options and blueliners who can move the puck and keep up with their feet, and while Benoit's effort level doesn't need to be questioned, he doesn't possess the skillset Chayka and Sundin will be looking for from d-men moving forward.

Photo credit:  Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images