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NHL·ANALYSIS·September 15, 2026 12:44 PM ET

Chayka says Leafs never had serious trade chance on Rielly

Toronto missed playoffs for first time since 2016

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 151 min read
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What happened: John Chayka said Morgan Rielly was never close to a summer move and that Toronto still views the veteran defenceman as part of its plan entering camp. Rielly is coming off 11 goals and 36 points in 78 games in his 13th season with the Maple Leafs.

Why it matters: That stance leaves Toronto's blue-line reset centered on additions rather than a veteran departure after the club brought in Emil Andrae and Darren Raddysh. It also cools Rielly trade rumors that had framed him as a possible core subtraction before camp.

By the numbers: Rielly averaged 21:08 of ice time last season and finished at minus-18. He has 98 goals and 549 points in 951 games with Toronto.

What to watch: Camp usage will show whether Rielly keeps a lead puck-moving role under the new staff or shifts into a different deployment within the rebuilt defence group.

Sources

  • tsn.ca 

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