NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs To Pursue Trades For Two Defensemen This Summer
The blue line is next.
David Pagnotta confirmed that Chayka is expected to pursue trade discussions involving both Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo this summer, with the defensive corps overhaul described as a top organizational priority.
"Augmenting the blue line is a priority for Chayka, and he insinuated moves to the defensive corps are on the horizon," Pagnotta wrote. "Will that result in trading Morgan Rielly? He has a full no-movement clause, but the previous regime entertained that possibility this season and I expect Chayka to explore that option this offseason. Brandon Carlo could also be a trade candidate as he enters the final year of his contract."
Chayka confirmed the defensive focus directly to Elliotte Friedman at his introductory press conference, saying the team needs more mobility on the back end.
Matthews and Nylander reportedly made the same request in their exit meetings.
The Rielly Situation
The Leafs and Edmonton Oilers had a deal nearly in place at the March trade deadline involving Rielly heading to Edmonton alongside Nic Roy in exchange for Darnell Nurse, per Pagnotta.
The trade fell apart and both players stayed put.
Pagnotta expects Edmonton to circle back this summer given that both franchises still need to address their defensive situations.
Rielly holds a full no-movement clause at a $7.5 million cap hit, which means he controls where he goes entirely.
Veterans that John Chayka needs to be shopping around
— Hockey Patrol (@HockeyPatrol) May 18, 2026
- Anthony Stolarz (32, $3.75-million until 2030)
- Brandon Carlo (28, $4.385-million until 2028)
- Simon Benoit (27, $1.35-million until 2028)
- Philippe Myers (29, $850,000 until 2028)
- Steven Lorentz (30, $1.35-million… pic.twitter.com/9UDTsADrkK
He finished this season with 36 points and a minus-18 rating across 78 games, numbers that show a player who has declined from the offensive defenseman who signed his extension and who Chayka may view as misaligned with the mobile, puck-moving direction he wants to take the roster.
Trading Rielly is more about creating cap flexibility and roster speed than it is about straight-up value.
The Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks have both been linked as potential destinations, with the western Canadian connection to Rielly's family situation making Vancouver a natural fit if he is willing to waive.
The Carlo Situation
Carlo is a simpler roster move.
He signed through 2026-27 as part of the February deadline deal that cost Toronto a top-five protected first-round pick and prospect Fraser Minten, and enters the final year of his $4.1 million cap hit contract.
Moving him now while he still has value makes sense for a team that wants to move faster on the back end, and his three-team no-trade clause limits the potential destinations without eliminating the possibility of finding a fit.
It would take a major shift in direction for the Maple Leafs not to approach Morgan Rielly about exploring trade opportunities this offseason.
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) May 11, 2026
With John Chayka now reportedly involved in the front office, there is a belief the organization wants a real, true read on where Rielly… pic.twitter.com/327trq5ySR
Teams in need of a physical, defensive-first presence on the right side would have interest at the right price.
Whether Chayka gets equal value for both moves or uses one of them to take back something more in line with what the team needs at center or on the wing will define the shape of Toronto's summer.
The first overall pick and $38 million in projected cap space give the organization real maneuverability this summer. Let's see what they do with it.
Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
