Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly reveals honest feelings on trade from Toronto originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Morgan Rielly isn’t immune to the noise.
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That doesn’t mean the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman is leaning in to the trade rumors, though. He’d much prefer to stay put.
Rielly spoke to The Athletic for a new feature story released Thursday, and he shared his honest feelings on what has been a rough stretch for the Leafs that has led to his name in trade speculation.
“My desire to stay in Toronto is always going to be there,” Rielly told The Athletic. “There’s a number of (reasons), but a big one is loyalty. Loyalty to the team that drafted you, I think that’s a powerful thing.”
One of the main problems with a potential Rielly trade is his contract.
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There are still four years remaining on his deal after this one. He’ll be owed $7.5 million per year.
The 13-year defenseman has allowed the second-most five-on-five goals while on the ice this season, according to The Athletic.
But if another team gets over the contract and the defensive struggles this season, then what? Would Rielly get moved?
He also has a no-movement clause in his contract, so it’s up to him.
“You know it’s a possibility,” he told The Athletic.
The Maple Leafs, after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade, will have plenty of narratives going this season. Some of the fanbase will want much of the roster flushed out and new faces brought in.
If that happens, Rielly would certainly be a candidate to be moved, if he approved of a deal. Stay tuned on this one.
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