Report: Maple Leafs' Requested Trade List from Morgan Rielly

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to look much different next season. John Chayka and Mats Sundin have taken over roster management and at the top of their priority list is reshaping the Leafs' blueline.

According to sources close to the team, Chayka has connected with defenceman Morgan Rielly over the past couple of weeks, and has asked for a list of teams the longest-tenured Maple Leaf would be open to joining for the next chapter of his career.

Rielly, 32, is signed for $7.5 million AAV through the 2030 season, and owns a full no-movement clause until 2028-29. Last season he led the league in allowing 5.v.5 goals, and frankly, his game has been declining in a major way these past couple of seasons, especially on the defensive end.

Rielly appeared in 78 games last season, scoring 11 goals and adding 25 assists, for 36 points. His -18 +/- rating was the worst of his career since 2017. There's also been reports that during the exit interview process at the end of the year, both Auston Matthews and William Nylander asked for two mobile defencemen, who can advance the puck and join the rush. It's obvious Rielly's game isn't cutting it in Toronto anymore.

The 32-year-old blueliner is expected to be open to playing in western Canada, so the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks likely make the approved list, same can likely be said for the Seattle Kraken, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and Chicago Blackhawks.

Keep an eye on the Maple Leafs. They have the number-one pick, they have a trade-happy GM running the team now, and they are in reset mode all offseason long. Matthews is only going to come back if there's changes, and while him and Rielly are close, business is business, and the Leafs need to reconstruct their d-core for next season.