Flyers Talking Morgan Rielly Trade With Maple Leafs
Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Flyers are among the teams that have checked in with the Toronto Maple Leafs about longtime defenseman Morgan Rielly.
"One team that poked around a little bit was Philadelphia," Pagnotta said on The DFO Rundown. "And we know that other move with Woll a couple weeks ago."
Why It Makes Sense
The Flyers and Leafs already have an established line of communication after the trade that sent Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to Philadelphia for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a draft pick.
David Pagnotta: Re Morgan Rielly: One team that poked around a little bit I believe was Philadelphia - DFO Rundown (7/2)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 3, 2026
General manager Danny Briere has been vocal about wanting to make a significant improvement to his group of defensemen, and after missing out on John Carlson despite reportedly offering more money than Tampa Bay, Rielly represents arguably the best blueliner still potentially available.
Philadelphia has close to $30 million in cap space and could easily absorb Rielly's $7.5 million cap hit, which runs through the 2029-30 season.
The Complications
There are hurdles.
Rielly holds a full no-movement clause and reportedly submitted a list of four Western Conference teams he would accept a trade to, meaning Philadelphia would need him to expand that list, similar to what Darnell Nurse recently did to facilitate his own move.
Leafs GM John Chayka has also poured some cold water on the market, telling Sportsnet that Rielly remains a big part of the team and indicating he is not interested in retaining salary or adding a sweetener.
Pagnotta framed the situation as a matter of when, not if, Toronto moves Rielly, but stressed there is no urgency and the Leafs will not simply give him away.
Elliotte Friedman: Re Maple Leafs: [John Chayka] will move Morgan Rielly, but if you think he's gonna pay like an exorbitant sweetener...I got the sense he wasn't gonna do that - Real Kyper & Bourne (6/29)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 2, 2026
"Nothing is imminent, but at the same time if you're interested in Morgan Rielly, give them a call," Pagnotta said.
There is also the Ristolainen factor.
Acquiring Rielly could complicate Philadelphia's reported willingness to move Rasmus Ristolainen, since Rielly does not replace the physical, defensive edge Ristolainen provides, which is a dynamic the Flyers would have to weigh.
For now, Rielly remains a Maple Leaf, but Philadelphia's interest adds another Eastern Conference wrinkle to a trade market that continues to build.
