Although the four teams haven’t been publicly revealed, it’s widely believed that the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks are on Rielly’s list. It’s also worth noting that the Vancouver Canucks could be an attractive destination for Rielly, his hometown club, although the veteran defenceman will surely prioritize winning at this stage of his career.
Here is our ranking of potential Western Conference suitors for Rielly:
1. San Jose Sharks
Armed with $46.2 million in cap space, the Sharks are in a terrific position to build their roster in any way they see fit. Macklin Celebrini is already one of the NHL’s best players, and the rebuild, for all intents and purposes may be over. San Jose also boasts the No. 2 and No. 9 overall pick in this summer’s draft, where it can augment its young core. It’s a thrilling time in the Bay Area.
Rielly would become the leader of San Jose’s blue line, with Dmitry Orlov currently serving in this role. He would serve as a mentor to Sam Dickinson, and could be used in a true No. 4 role, where he would be better utilized at this phase of his career. Rielly’s $7.5 million salary through 2029-30 is what makes him a prohibitive option to some teams in trades, so the Leafs would likely need to take on an unfavourable contract to facilitate a trade. Would the Sharks be willing to sell high on Alexander Wennberg, who is coming off a career year at 31, carrying a $6 million cap hit through 2028-29 for Rielly? Perhaps the Sharks would want to move on from Tyler Toffoli, a 34-year-old Toronto native, who would mesh with the team’s win-now timeline.
There are a few different options here, and the Sharks can afford to be patient, with plenty of cap space, an aggressive mindset, and a willingness to take the next step in their development. Rielly would be a mature, veteran presence on a young, ascending Sharks team, and there could be some value to be found in some veteran forwards on the wrong side of 30.
2. Anaheim Ducks
There’s a similar scenario here playing out in California: Anaheim holds $38.8 million in cap space, and can afford to be patient this summer, after losing in the second round. A young core of Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke are emerging into stars, awaiting their major paydays. Anaheim will need to clear out some money to pay their RFAs handsomely, and this is perhaps where a trade can be facilitated.
Anaheim could also look to move some unfavourable contracts out as well: Alex Killorn may be the target here. Killorn is on an expiring $6.25 million contract for the upcoming season and though he’s declining, he could have value as a winger that can be deployed throughout the lineup. He’s won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and is familiar with the competitive landscape of the Atlantic Division. This could solve each other’s problems. A more attractive option for the Maple Leafs would be Mason McTavish, who has fallen out of favour in Anaheim, while boasting a $7 million cap hit through the 2030-31 season. Would the Ducks will be willing to part with a 23-year-old for the experienced Rielly, who would provide the Ducks with another cost-certain option on the blue line, aside from Jackson LaCombe?
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Vegas Golden Knights
Yikes! Vegas has become one of the NHL’s most attractive destinations for free agents, and we don’t need to rehash how a former Maple Leafs winger wanted to join the Golden Knights all along. Rielly hasn’t ever presented himself as someone who would abandon ship in pursuit of an easier route to a Stanley Cup ring. In Vegas, he would be afforded a great chance of lifting the Cup. Would the Golden Knights, who are always looking to improve their roster at every turn, find place for Rielly on their roster?
Vegas holds $4.62 million in cap space entering July 1, so Toronto would have to take on some money in a deal. William Karlsson is on an expiring contract ahead of the 2025-26 season, with a $5.9 million cap hit. Would Vegas be willing to move one of its core players in order to slot Rielly into a bottom-pair spot for next season? This may be a tougher fit, but the Golden Knights are always bold in trades, and perhaps there’s room for a blockbuster that John Chayka and his staff could certainly consider during this summer of seismic change.