Auston Matthews‘ Toronto Maple Leafs are navigating a challenging yet potentially crucial offseason. With star right winger Mitch Marner no longer part of the lineup after signing a lucrative eight-year, $96 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, the team must redefine its identity moving forward. Marner spent the first nine years of his NHL career with his hometown club, making his departure a significant moment for Toronto.
As fans wait to see the fully formed vision the organization will present, general manager Brad Treliving is carefully evaluating his options. The Maple Leafs face a transitional period as they adjust to life without Marner, but there is no appetite for a rebuild. Instead, the expectation is for this phase to lead to a long-awaited postseason breakthrough.
A sacrifice might be necessary to maintain the team’s offensive competitiveness. “If the Leafs move a [defenseman], it’ll likely only be one of them,” writes Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos. “But while Rielly comes with the complication of a no-movement clause, Brandon Carlo has just an eight-team no-trade list and so is also worth putting on the trade board.”
Defensemen on the trade block?
Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo have emerged as the two defensemen potentially on the trading block as the Maple Leafs seek to clear salary cap space and reshape the roster.
Mitch Marner during his introductory press conference with the Vegas Golden Knights, after being acquired through a sign-and-trade deal with Auston Matthews’ Toronto Maple Leafs. Official Vegas Golden Knights account on X (@GoldenKnights)
Rielly, who has played nearly 1,000 games including playoffs with Toronto, posted 34 assists, seven goals, and 131 blocks last season. Despite his contributions, the wear and tear of an extensive career is evident, and moving his $7.5 million average annual value (AAV) contract for five more seasons could provide the team much-needed financial flexibility.
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However, the no-movement clause attached to Rielly’s contract complicates matters, raising questions about whether a trade is even feasible. Should a deal go through, it would not be an easy goodbye for the longtime Leaf.
Meanwhile, Brandon Carlo, a more affordable option at $4.1 million AAV through 2026-27, offers a different opportunity. He joined Toronto midseason via a trade with the Boston Bruins and has since recorded three points and 38 blocks in 20 games. Carlo’s relatively shorter tenure and a less restrictive no-trade list could make him a more viable trade candidate.
Maple Leafs’ future hinges on offseason decisions
As the offseason progresses, the Maple Leafs’ front office faces difficult decisions to shape the roster for the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season. The team must balance maintaining offensive firepower with shoring up defense and managing salary cap constraints. The departure of Marner signaled the end of an era and the start of a new chapter that will test the organization’s ability to adapt and contend.
SurveyWhich defenseman should the Maple Leafs trade to improve their roster after Marner’s departure?
Which defenseman should the Maple Leafs trade to improve their roster after Marner’s departure?
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Whether the Maple Leafs decide to trade Rielly, Carlo, or keep both remains to be seen. What is clear is that the organization still has significant work ahead to finalize a competitive roster before the puck drops on the regular season in October.
