Toronto Maple Leafs Rumored to Have Reached Next Stage of Trade Talks with Morgan Rielly

Morgan Rielly's production has been on a steady decline as of late. After a 58-point campaign in 2023-24 (72 games), Rielly only had 41 points in 82 games last season.

Furthermore, he was not particularly good defensively, and it had some Leafs fans wondering whether or not he was still worth $7.5 million per season.

There are better defenseman on the team, and with Bowen Byram on the market, some are wondering whether or not the Leafs might ask Rielly to waive his no-trade clause.

During the most recent episode of 'Real Kyper & Bourne,' NHL insider Nick Kypreos made the claim that he believes the Leafs have, indeed, asked Rielly about moving on.

While Kypreos maintains it won't happen now, he does believe there is a world in which it happens in the future. The door is being left open.

At this stage, the Leafs don't have any offensive defenseman waiting in the wings to take over from Rielly. If you get rid of him, there won't be much offense generated from the blueline.

Having said that, the Leafs are going to have to make sure they have a replacement ready in the event that they do decide that they want to cut ties with the veteran Leaf.

Trading Rielly would be a major step for this team, and it feels a bit premature, especially when the team is looking to get itself a big-name forward to play in the top six.

Only time will tell what happens next, and whether or not general manager Brad Treliving swings for the fences.