Insider Certain Maple Leafs Blockbuster Trade Was “Guaranteed” — It Wasn’t – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

TSN’s hockey insider Darren Dreger was recently a guest on First Up 1050 and offered an interesting take on a rumored blockbuster trade that he believed got extremely close for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Morgan Rielly being dealt this offseason by the Maple Leafs was almost seen as a “guarantee,” said Dreger. In fact, he seemed quite surprised the defenseman was still on the roster.

The Rumored Morgan Rielly Trade

Dreger was among those analysts and insiders who had been reporting that the Maple Leafs were open to moving Rielly and that he was ready to be dealt. Hoping to land with a Western Conference team, things went sideways this offseason when the San Jose Sharks traded for Darnell Nurse and the Anaheim Ducks got preoccupied with the Leo Carlsson offer sheet.

“One of the things that I thought was a guarantee was that Morgan Rielly was going to be in a different uniform when I came back in the fall. So, I’m surprised that they weren’t able to find the right fit,” said Dreger. He added, “I’m in the camp that still thinks that Morgan Rielly is a decent defenseman. But in saying that, players have shelf lives, coaches and managers have shelf lives, and it felt like Morgan had reached his expiration date with the Maple Leafs.”

Ultimately, Rielly stayed in Toronto, and he’s relieved this whole thing is behind him. He told the media when he returned to camp that there was uncertainty this summer but confirmed Toronto has always been where he wants to play. “I feel grateful to be a part of this organization and this team.” He added, “There was uncertainty for sure. But I don’t think I’m the only guy who has experienced that, and it’s not my first time experiencing that. This has always been the place that I want to play. This is home now.”

Can Rielly Rebound with the Maple Leafs This Season?

It’s not exactly a fresh start, but there’s a feeling of newness with the team and the defenseman. He’s got a new coach, new management, and potentially a new playing partner. Perhaps that will be enough to get a motivated Rielly back to a level that the organization needs.

Dreger argued, “Maybe he’s recharged. Maybe he’ll find the perfect fit… There’s an assumption that he’ll line up with Darren Raddysh. I guess we’ll have to wait and see how that plays out.”

If that’s the case and it works, it would be a huge win for the Maple Leafs. Not only will they get Raddysh off a career year to run their power play, but Rielly will be rejuvenated and more effective. It will feel a bit like a two-for-one swing. Maybe it will turn out that the best move the Maple Leafs made this season was not making a move.

The Trade Was Never Guaranteed

Dreger’s word choice is interesting. To say he thought something was “guaranteed” seems far-fetched given the factors that would have gone into a deal. First, Rielly had to agree to be moved. Second, a team needed to want him at his full salary. Third, the return pieces needed to make sense. Fourth, any interested team needed to have few other options. Fifth, the Maple Leafs needed a replacement for Rielly, which they didn’t have.

You can say a trade is “guaranteed” all you want, but deals aren’t easy to make, especially when everything needs to go just right.