Insider Says Maple Leafs Closing in on Deals: 4 Options

TSN insider Darren Dreger set Leaf Nation buzzing on Wednesday when he reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are “definitely closing in on deals,” adding that while Morgan Rielly isn’t necessarily at the center of everything, “things are developing.”

With new GM John Chayka continuing to reshape the roster he inherited from Brad Treliving, he’s already made big changes. He fired Craig Berube, traded Joseph Woll to Philadelphia, and did a sign-and-trade for Darren Raddysh. The draft is around the corner, and trades have been coming in fast and furious. Here’s a look at four names that could be at the heart of whatever is being cooked up.

Morgan Rielly

We already know about the Morgan Rielly trade talk. The latest is that he has given the Maple Leafs a list of four Western Conference teams he would accept a trade to — a significant development given that he still controls where he goes due to his full no-movement clause.

The feeling is that the San Jose Sharks or Anaheim Ducks would be among the frontrunners here. The Sharks need defensemen and Ducks likely will. John Carlsson is leaving Anaheim and testing free agency. Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba might not be far behind.

Rielly is signed through the 2029–30 season at $7.5 million per year. With Chayka already bringing in Raddysh and Emil Andrae to mobilize the defense, a Rielly deal would signal he’s good with letting the offensive defenseman go.

Brandon Carlo

Brandon Carlo is a towering defenseman who hasn’t been able to find his groove in Toronto. With just one year left on his deal at $3.485 million, there is going to be a market for Carlo this summer, but injuries have been a concern. The money isn’t a huge risk for a team given the rising salary cap. There are a few teams that still need to get to the floor.

Chayka appears to be systematically identifying and moving on from what he sees as the previous regime’s mistakes, and Carlo fits that mold. A deal ahead of the draft could free up cap space and allow the Leafs to add a more mobile, puck-moving blue-liner or use the savings to target a forward.

Nick Robertson

Is this the year the Maple Leafs finally move Nicholas (Nick) Robertson? He had a career season with 32 points and 16 goals, but with the Leafs set to select Gavin McKenna first overall, and still no defined role for Robertson, maybe it’s time to move on.

With Matthews Knies, Easton Cowan, and very likely McKenna all occupying left wing, Robertson’s future with the Maple Leafs is in serious limbo. During his exit interview, he reportedly told Leafs management that he feels a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs at this point in his career. As a restricted free agent, any move would likely come as a sign-and-trade. At the very least, the team acquiring him would want to talk about an extension.

At 24, Robertson would have legitimate top-six appeal on a team that could give him real minutes and a defined role.

Anthony Stolarz

With the Woll trade leaving Anthony Stolarz and Denis Hildeby as the only proven goaltenders on the roster, there are still question marks about both. Stolarz has shown he can’t handle more than 35 games in a season. The jury is still out on whether Hildeby can be an NHL starter. That’s led to speculation the Leafs might take a big swing in goal. If so, moving Stolarz makes sense.

There has been chatter online about whether Stolarz could be moved, with Dallas floated as one possible destination given their cap constraints. Perhaps even a return to Florida where he won a Stanley Cup as a backup.

If Chayka lands a proven starter — names like Connor Hellebuyck and Adin Hill have been floated — Stolarz becomes a piece that has to go. He holds a 16-team no-trade clause in his contract, which shouldn’t pose a huge issue for Toronto if they’re trying to relocate him.