The Toronto Maple Leafs had another playoff disappointment and could make some major changes this offseason.
After the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Florida Panthers, Toronto’s general manager, Brad Treliving, said the DNA of the team needs to change.
NHL analyst Adam Wylde of SDPN believes that means trading star defenseman Morgan Rielly, who’s the DNA of the team.
“Morgan Rielly’s the guy. You want a DNA change? Morgan Rielly is the DNA,” Wylde said on the SDPN podcast on June 20. “Morgan Rielly is Kylr Dubas’ dude by the way. When he signed Morgan Rielly, because he loved Morgan, (Mike) Babcock left, and the only player he shouted out was Morgan Rielly.
“Dubas signed him to an extension a few years later, and was like we could not be happier to have this guy in our lineup and dressing room, and nobody ever disputes that,” Wylde added. “But, if you talk about a player who probably does have a little bit of value because of how he performs in the playoffs, doesn’t have much of a role in Berube’s system, doesn’t kill penalties, was playing 20 or 30 seconds a night on PP2. That, to me, you start with guys like that… If we are talking about a DNA change, we are talking about a guy like that.”
Rielly has spent his entire career with the Maple Leafs after being picked fifth overall in 2012. He has five years left on his eight-year, $60 million deal, but has a full no-movement clause. However, Wylde urges the Maple Leafs to be ruthless and force Rielly to waive his no-trade clause.
Rielly recorded 7 goals and 34 assists for 41 points in 82 games.
Rielly Wants to Stay With Maple Leafs
Toronto could look to make some major changes this offseason, and Rielly’s name has come up in trade talks.
Rielly has been named as a trade chip, but he has a full no-movement clause, so if he doesn’t want to be traded, he can’t. After the season ended, he made it clear he would like to stay with the Maple Leafs.
“That’s not what I’m thinking about right now,” Rielly said about potentially being traded this summer… “There’s always change. Every summer, every offseason is different. As a player, I think sometimes it’s best not to speculate on what may or may not happen. So, for us, I mean for me individually, you want to focus on what you can do to come back a better version of yourself at the next training camp.”
Rielly recorded 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points in 13 playoff games.
Maple Leafs GM Hints at DNA Change
After yet another playoff disappointment, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is looking to shake up the roster.
At his year-end press conference, Treliving said the team needed a DNA change.
“There will be change moving forward. That’s just the nature of the business,” Treliving said. “We’ve gotta find a way to create the team, both between the ears and personnel, to be our best at the critical moments. There’s some DNA that needs to change in our team.”
With the current core, the Maple Leafs had just two playoff series wins.
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