New report confirms Morgan Rielly was nearly traded to the Western Conference before the deadline
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Tyler Ball
Mar 15, 2026 (7:47 PM)
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Tonight, a new report from NHL insider David Pagnotta has confirmed that the Toronto Maple Leafs almost traded Morgan Rielly to the Western Conference.
Heading into the trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves well out of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot and as a selling team.
Throughout deadline week, rumors had suggested the Maple Leafs were looking to trade multiple veterans including defenseman Morgan Rielly.
Ultimately, the Maple Leafs only made a few moves trading Bobby McMann as their biggest move while deciding to hold on to Rielly.
Now, a report has confirmed that the Maple Leafs were ready to trade Rielly and had a deal nearly finished with a Western Conference team.
Maple Leafs nearly sent Morgan Rielly packing out West
According to insider David Pagnotta, an unnamed team was trying to pry Rielly out of Toronto all week but came up just short.
David Pagnotta: Re Maple Leafs: Speculation over Morgan Rielly's future will increase - and one team our West poked around on him all week [before the deadline] - Fourth Period (3/9)
With the Maple Leafs looking to reset and build back towards the playoffs next season Brad Treliving could be looking to make a major shakeup.
In recent years, the Maple Leafs have made major changes in net and to their forward group the next logical step would be to change their best defenseman out for someone else.
As the offseason begins, all eyes will be on Treliving and the Maple Leafs to see if they part ways with Rielly who has been a core player in Toronto for over a decade.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 15|203 ANSWERS New report confirms Morgan Rielly was nearly traded to the Western Conference before the deadline Will the Toronto Maple Leafs trade Morgan Rielly this summer? | ||
| Yes | 156 | 76.8 % |
| No | 47 | 23.2 % |
| List of polls | ||