Max Miller
The San Jose Sharks want to upgrade their blue line for the 26-27 season, and a weaker free agent market could mean more trades.
As the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach the end, rumors about offseason moves are becoming more relevant. One in particular involves Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. Rielly, 32, still has four years left on his current contract, which has an AAV of $7.5 million.
While the San Jose Sharks certainly need an upgrade on defense, as said by both Ryan Warsofsky and Mike Grier during their exit interviews, Rielly might not be the best fit. Rielly’s $7.5 million cap hit isn’t the worst to take on. But if the Maple Leafs retain a little bit, that could make the move better.
The other problem with the Sharks acquiring Rielly is the fact that they’d be adding another left-handed defenseman. Both the NHL club and the AHL San Jose Barracuda are filled with lefties. Players like Sam Dickinson and Luca Cagnoni need NHL time, and adding Rielly could prevent optimal ice time.
The 2012 NHL Draft first-round pick has been a solid defenseman for the Leafs during his 13-year career. His play has started to fade. It is unclear if that’s due to the team around him falling short of expectations as well. In 25-26, Rielly scored 11 goals and 25 assists, but was also a career-worst -18.
On Frank Seravalli’s 2026 offseason trade board, Rielly tops the list. Trading the d-man won’t be easy, as Rielly has a no-move clause and controls if and where he could get traded. According to reports, Rielly’s preference, if he’s traded, is the West Coast. The Sharks are floating around those rumors because they have only Dickinson and Dmitry Orlov under contract. Shakir Mukhamadullin is an RFA, and Cagnoni is technically still in the AHL.
The San Jose Sharks need an upgrade on defense, but with four years left and what appears to be the start of a decline in play, adding Rielly doesn’t make a ton of sense. If Toronto retains salary and Rielly is comfortable playing a reduced role, that could be what it takes for the Sharks to add him.
There is also the caveat that San Jose has to trade something to acquire him. A player with four years left that Toronto wants to get rid of will be cheap. San Jose could look to trade a low-level prospect or a late-round draft pick to make a deal. With the Maple Leafs hiring a new front office, it is unclear how they want to value the players they inherited.
With Grier and company wanting playoffs, upgrading defense is needed, but is Rielly the answer? Only time will tell.
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