​The report that the Maple Leafs still have Morgan Rielly persists, despite ongoing chatter about a potential trade, remains true as of Tuesday morning, July 7. While rumors swirl and timelines shift quickly in the offseason, Rielly has not been moved. A major factor behind the decision-making around Rielly could be Darnell Nurse. Nurse, another veteran defenseman, was traded earlier in the offseason—from the Edmonton Oilers to the San Jose Sharks. It has become clear that the Sharks considered both Nurse and Rielly, but according to Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast for Sportsnet, the Sharks ultimately preferred Nurse over Rielly.
Rielly, by many metrics, is currently on a cheaper contract and is considered a stronger asset at this stage of their careers compared with Nurse. Yet the Sharks’ preference appears to have swayed their decision. In a notable move, the Sharks took on Nurse’s entire contract, effectively relieving the Oilers of that burden and giving the Maple Leafs a potential exit from Rielly’s $30 million total commitment over the next four seasons. For now, at least, one plausible destination for Rielly has been removed from consideration.
Other teams could still show interest in Rielly, but the landscape after the draft and the initial wave of free agency can become less predictable. This means that if a move is going to happen, it’s unclear when it might occur. The offseason has moved at its own pace, and while a handful of paths remain open, a definitive timetable for a Rielly trade has not emerged.
The broader NHL news surrounding this topic continues to evolve. For example, discussions about notable drafts and signings—such as a 7-foot-1 draft pick drawing headlines for his height, or Cale Makar potentially commanding a higher price, or Sidney Crosby’s trade plans influencing the Penguins—keep fans attentive to how team rosters and salary structures will shift. With momentum shifting through the summer, questions about whether the Oilers will aim to bolster their goalie depth or whether other teams will pursue veteran blueliners like Rielly or Nurse remain central to the chatter.
As the conversation around Morgan Rielly persists, the latest developments highlight the delicate balance teams face between preserving cap flexibility, maintaining veteran leadership, and securing long-term assets. While Nurse’s trade to the Sharks has influenced prevailing perceptions, Rielly’s future with the Maple Leafs—or elsewhere—continues to be a topic of active speculation. For Maple Leafs fans and league observers alike, the coming weeks and months will shed more light on whether Rielly stays in Toronto, finds a new home, or navigates an unexpected twist in this evolving offseason narrative.