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Report: Morgan Rielly open to trade, submits ‘western conference heavy’ approval list

Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 23, 2026, 10:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 23, 2026, 09:26 EDT
The longest-tenured Toronto Maple Leaf could have a new home next season.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly is open to a trade, and has submitted an approval list to general manager John Chayka this offseason. Rielly is at least willing to listen to potential destinations from Chayka, and LeBrun points out there was a very common theme with the list of teams he submitted to the Leafs’ front office.
“Morgan Rielly, as Jonas Siegel reported last week, is open to a move. My sense is that teams like San Jose and Anaheim would be high on his list,” stated LeBrun via Overdrive Jun.22. “Certainly, I know for a fact, he sent a Western Conference heavy list, suggested list to the Leafs, Morgan Rielly did, so we’ll see what the Leafs will do with that”.
Rielly, 32, has four seasons left on his contract at $7.5 million AAV, and owns a full no-movement clause until the final year of his deal. The Leafs’ blueliner appeared in 78 games last season, scoring 11 goals, and added 25 assists, for 36 points. It was a solid offensive campaign for Rielly, but a lot of Leafs Nation have become frustrated with Rielly’s defensive-zone coverage throughout the season, and his decision making without the puck. Rielly was among the worst defenceman keeping the puck out of his net at even strength, and with Darren Raddysh joining the organization, he’ll no longer be needed for top power-play minutes.
As far as trade destinations go, San Jose and Anaheim are quieter markets, with up-and-coming rosters, and they’re both in the market to add defencemen this offseason. Especially the Sharks, who have just three defencemen signed to NHL contracts for next year and align perfectly as an ideal trade partner.
The Maple Leafs have been busy of late, moving out Simon Benoit and Joseph Woll, while adding Emil Andrae and Raddysh to the back end. Chayka mentioned from day one he was going to reshape the Leafs’ blueline, and has already added two puck-moving, mobile blueliners.
With Raddysh, Andrea, Jake McCabe, Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Brandon Carlo, Phillipe Myers, and Ben Danford likely getting a shot to crack the opening night roster, it’s certainly becoming a numbers game. One that could see Rielly being one of the odd men out heading into next season.
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