Maple Leafs News and Rumors: Toronto Likely to Be Stuck With $60,000,000 Headache For Rest of the Season
Toronto enters the Olympic break with some positive results after a few important wins that helped bring their season on track. The group showed better structure in recent games, yet concerns remain about the blue line and long-term roster balance. Additionally, Injuries and mid-season inconsistency have kept management under pressure.
Those issues now lead to a closer look at one veteran defenseman’s future with the team.
Toronto’s Blue Line Under Pressure With Morgan Rielly’s Contract and Performance Concerns
The Maple Leafs closed the schedule before the Olympic break with wins over the Oilers, Flames, and Canucks after a rough stretch earlier in the season. Toronto continues to score at a strong rate behind Auston Matthews and William Nylander, but defensive play remains an issue, especially with Chris Tanev out.
The team allows more goals than it would like, which has limited progress in the standings despite good offense. Special teams have been mixed, with a strong penalty kill but an average power play.
Morgan Rielly remains a central figure as he recovers from an upper-body injury sustained on January 31 against Vancouver. He left late in the second period and missed the final two games before the break.
Coach Craig Berube confirmed Rielly will not return until after the Olympic pause while he continues evaluations. The 31-year-old defenseman has played 54 games this season with seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points while averaging over 21 minutes per night, but his minus-17 rating has drawn attention.
NHL insider Jason Bukala wrote in a Sportsnet column, “The elephant in the room is that it has come time to address the Morgan Rielly situation.” Bukala added that a trade before the March 6 deadline is unlikely due to Rielly’s contract and full no-movement protection.
He also wrote, “Rielly has been a fantastic pro in Toronto and a great teammate, but the reality is that his best years are behind him and he has far too much term left on his contract,” suggesting the issue may wait until the offseason.
Former Leafs enforcer Jay Rosehill shared a stronger opinion during “Leafs Morning Take.” He said, “I think Morgan Rielly has been atrocious,” and added, “He just piles up the minuses.” Rosehill also said, “I think they are better without him,” pointing to Rielly’s heavy ice time and defensive struggles this season.
Rielly remains under an eight-year, $60 million contract with a $7.5 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season and holds full no-movement protection. Drafted fifth overall in 2012, he has been a key puck-moving defenseman and alternate captain for the Maple Leafs.
Despite recent criticism and injury concerns, Toronto must continue to manage its role carefully while trying to improve its defensive play after the Olympic break.
