Why Maple Leafs, Sharks could emerge as ideal offseason trade partners

With significant roster decisions looming once a new management regime is in place, don’t be surprised to see the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks complete an offseason trade together involving defenceman Morgan Rielly.

The two teams align perfectly as trade partners. The Leafs are in the need for a major shakeup, Rielly is their longest-tenured player and one who has seen his game fall from grace the past couple of seasons. Meanwhile, the Sharks only have a couple of defencemen signed to contracts for next season, and are in the market for some veteran help on the back end. The only hurdle here, and it’s a big one, is the fact Rielly holds a full no-movement clause, and from everything he said during his end-of-season media availability, he’s not interested in going anywhere. But, nobody’s ever asked him for a list of teams he’d be open to being traded to, and there’s a very good chance that’s coming within the next month or two.

Regardless of who is running the show in Toronto, Rielly needs to be strongly considered as an offseason trade candidate. The $7.5 million AAV through 2030 aside, the Maple Leafs’ defence core struggled a ton this season at a multitude of issues including advancing the puck, going tape-to-tape with outlet passes, running a power play, clearing bodies out in front, and sticking with their man during d-zone coverage. And, so it seemed, most of the time, it was Rielly who was caught in these predicaments.

So, why the Sharks? Besides the fact they have just Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson under contract for next season, they could certainly make Rielly’s approved trade list based on the fact they’re led by one of the eventual faces of the NHL in Macklin Celebrini, are an up-and-coming team loaded with untapped potential, and in need of another veteran blueliner. The Sharks have loads of cap space, but don’t be shocked to see general manager Mike Grier force the Maple Leafs’ hands into some form of salary retention on the four years remaining on Rielly’s contract.

While the Sharks’ team on the ice is as exciting as any in the league, it’s all the off-ice elements that should appeal to Rielly for approval. A quarter of the media coverage, beach living in California, he’s familiar with several of their players, including Celebrini, another west coaster, and if Rielly needs any living advice for residing in San Jose, ex-teammate Joe Thornton is just a phone call away, and loaded with suggestions.

The Sharks and Maple Leafs make a ton of sense as trade partners. However Leafs Nation, this isn’t a trade that would see anything truly significant coming the other way. Don’t expect Michael Misa to be heading home or Yaroslav Askarov coming north. This move is centered around the fact Rielly needs a change of scenery, the Leafs need to make significant roster adjustments, the Sharks align perfectly as a partner based on their cap space, they’re a destination city, loaded with Stanley Cup contending potential over the course of the rest of Rielly’s contract duration. The fact he’d be playing hockey by the beach and golfing on off days are essentially just cherries on top for the veteran defenceman.

The Maple Leafs don’t have any salary retention on their books currently, so there’s room for Rielly’s contract to be added. At $7.5 million AAV, if they’d be open to retaining 25% of the yearly cap hit, and bring Rielly’s cap hit down to roughly $5.6 million per year, the Sharks wouldn’t be the only team interested in striking a deal. There just may not be a better fit as a destination when it comes to the team’s roster needs, potential, and the type of market it offers both on and off the ice.

San Jose has two 2026 first-round picks, but the Leafs would need to include someone like Nick Robertson if they wanted to get Grier to consider moving their pick, and that seems unlikely. A bottom-six grinder like Barclay Goodrow could be an option. He’s slightly overpriced at $3.6 million AAV heading into the final season of his contract, holds a 15-team no-trade clause, however, he’s shown in the past he can be a reliable third-line center, and the Leafs have a massive hole in that spot heading into the summer. If it was just a one-for-one swap, Grier could potentially be open to taking on the rest of Rielly’s contract, and frankly, that would be a massive win for the Leafs, and set them up to have some financial flexibility moving forward. Morale of the story, the Leafs new management regime should focus on moving on from Rielly, and not necessarily what’s coming back in return.

Keep an eye on the Sharks and Maple Leafs this offseason. San Jose feels like the perfect place for Rielly to begin chapter two of his NHL journey. After being a very impactful franchise ambassador for over a decade, it’s time for Rielly to consider moving on.

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