Maple Leafs Trade Idea Swaps Morgan Rielly for $49 Million Center
In a recent article for The Hockey News, NHL analyst Adam Proteau proposed a bold trade idea that could help solve the Toronto Maple Leafs' top-six problem after Mitch Marner's exit in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights.
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In Proteau's eyes, there is a possible scenario out there that could see the Leafs and Calgary Flames swap superstars on opposite ends of the ice.
Proteau believes that there is a case to be made for Toronto to send defenseman Morgan Rielly to Calgary in exchange for Nazem Kadri, who has been linked to a possible return to the Maple Leafs during the early stages of the offseason.
Proteau pointed out that Leafs GM Brad Treliving acknowledged the need to replace Mitch Marner after dealing him to Vegas.
'Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven't replaced that hole,' Treliving said on July 1. 'That's really where our focus is.'
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Touching on that comment, Proteau argued that Toronto is unlikely to make another major free-agent splash because of the lack of talent available, suggesting trades are the only realistic path forward.
That's where Kadri fits the scenario, with Proteau arguing that a Rielly–Kadri swap could work cleanly on the cap sheet.
Rielly carries a cap hit of $7.5 million per year through 2030, and Kadri comes at $7 million annually through 2029.
"Certainly, the money involved in a Kadri/Rielly trade is almost a perfect match," Proteau wrote. "If the Flames are taking on that extra year of Rielly's salary, Treliving may have to add another asset to make a deal work for the Flames – something like a second-round draft pick, which the Maple Leafs have in the 2027 and 2028 drafts."
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Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) looks on during a Stanley Cup Playoffs game.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
In a potential roadblock, both players have no-trade clauses. Even then, Proteau believes the fit is appealing enough for both players and teams that approval from all parties is plausible.
'A reunion with Kadri surely would be welcomed by the former Leaf,' Proteau wrote.
Proteau added that the Leafs could slot Kadri as the second-line center, shift John Tavares to the wing or the third line, and suddenly gain surplus depth down the middle.
'If Treliving is able to pull off this deal, don't say you didn't see it coming,' Proteau wrote.
Related: Maple Leafs Get Bad News on Possible Reunion with Flames Center
Related: Nick Robertson Forces Maple Leafs' Hand with Bold Contract Move
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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