Analyst Says Maple Leafs Could Trade Top-Pair Defenseman for Offensive Help originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still searching for ways to fill the offensive void left by forward Mitch Marner’s departure, and a significant move from their blue line could be on the table.
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According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, the Leafs might trade one of their top two defensemen — Morgan Rielly or Brandon Carlo — to bring in reinforcements up front.
“The post-Mitch Marner era in Toronto has begun and the Leafs are left trying to figure out how their forwards will all come together next fall,” Kypreos wrote. “The team is expected to be working the trade market all summer.
It’s well known that Toronto is still looking to add more talent to its forward corps. General manager Brad Treliving appeared on the “Kyper & Bourne” podcast and acknowledged the challenge of replacing Marner’s production through multiple moves.
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“You kind of got to do that in the aggregate,” Treliving said. “Can you try to get more depth? Can you, over a couple of moves, replace the offense you’re trying to replace and spread that out throughout the lineup?
“You’d like to (fill Marner’s void) yesterday,” Treliving said. “I don’t think you’re ever finished. You’re always looking to try to improve your team.”
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan RiellyMarc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
The Leafs reportedly pursued top-six forwards in free agency but missed out on players like Nikolaj Ehlers and Brock Boeser, the latter rejecting an offer from Toronto.
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When it comes to dangling Rielly and Carlo, the former has five years remaining on his contract, which carries a $7.5 million annual cap hit.
Carlo, acquired from the Boston Bruins at last season’s trade deadline, has three years left at $4.1 million per season.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.