Whether you view the current iteration of the Toronto Maple Leafs as a true reflection of the roster construction or simply a byproduct of an injury-plagued season, most observers agree on one thing: this team is in desperate need of a trade.

I’m not talking about the kind of minor transaction where a team flips a late-round pick for additional depth. I’m talking about the kind of blockbuster that shakes a franchise to its core.

The Shift from “Core Four” Protection

For the last seven years, management refused to break up the core, until the decision was essentially forced upon them by the Mitch Marner situation. Now, just 22 games into the 2025-26 season, it appears the Leafs are finally willing to take another major swing.

While recent whispers suggested the team was only looking to move depth pieces, NHL insider David Pagnotta revealed today that a massive new name has entered the trade chat.

David Pagnotta: Re Leafs: The one guy that I started to hear his name over the last week, and it might just simply be nothing out of this one because he has a full no move, but Morgan Rielly – Morning Cuppa Hockey (11/25)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) November 26, 2025

Why Rielly? Why Now?

It shouldn’t come as a complete surprise to see Morgan Rielly’s name surfacing in trade rumors. This summer, GM Brad Treliving made it clear he had sat down with Rielly to set major expectations. Despite a slight offensive resurgence, it is becoming clear that his overall game remains largely unchanged.

Rielly is currently the longest-serving member of the Leafs, meaning he is also the common denominator in the team’s most painful failures. While many fans hold a deep affinity for No. 44, he is the core player I have consistently felt least attached to. Throughout his tenure in Toronto, the organization has exhausted resources trying to find him a compatible top-pairing partner. Every attempt has fallen short. The most recent addition, Brandon Carlo, was playing some of the worst hockey of his career next to Rielly before his injury.

The Contract Obstacles

With multiple years remaining on his contract carrying a $7.5 million AAV and a full No-Movement Clause (NMC), Rielly holds complete control over this process. However, it is hard to believe he would want to stay in a city where the front office no longer views him as untouchable. This could be his chance for a fresh start and an opportunity for the Leafs to position themselves for a necessary retool.

Given his cap hit, any potential deal would likely require money coming back to Toronto. Rielly’s availability is gaining traction league-wide; he has recently appeared at 25th on The Athletic’s trade board and is listed as a Tier 3 trade candidate by Daily Faceoff.

A Necessary Culture Reset

One thing is certain, if the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to truly change the culture, “Mo” must go. Moving on from the longest-tenured player is the only way to signal that this team is serious about a true reset.