Insider Says Maple Leafs Are Closing in on Deals: 4 Options – Hockey Writers –

TSN insider Darren Dreger sent Leaf Nation into a frenzy on Wednesday when he reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs “could definitely close deals,” adding that while Morgan Rielly isn’t at the heart of everything, “things are looking up.”

As new GM John Chayka continues to rebuild the roster he inherited from Brad Treliving, he’s already made some big changes. He fired Craig Berube, traded Joseph Woll to Philadelphia, and made a sign-and-trade for Darren Raddysh. The draft is right around the corner, and the trades have been coming in fast and furious. Here are four words that can be in anything cooked.

Morgan Rielly

We already know about Morgan Rielly’s trade talk. The latest is that he gave the Maple Leafs a list of four Western Conference teams that would accept a trade — a significant development because he still controls where he goes because of his full no-movement clause.

The feeling is that the San Jose Sharks or the Anaheim Ducks will be among the best here. The Sharks need defenders and the Ducks could do it. John Carlsson is leaving Anaheim and exploring free agency. Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba may not be far away.

Rielly is signed through the 2029-30 season for $7.5 million per year. With Chayka already bringing in Raddysh and Emil Andrae to anchor the defense, Rielly’s deal would prove he’s okay with letting go of an attacking defender.

Brandon Carlo

Brandon Carlo is a top defenseman who couldn’t find his place in Toronto. With one year left at $3.485 million, there will be a market for Carlo this summer, but injuries have been a concern. Money is not a big risk for the team given the rising salary. There are a few teams that still need to get on the floor.

Chayka seems to systematically identify and move on from what he sees as the mistakes of the previous regime, and Carlo fits that mold. A pre-draft deal could free up cap space and allow the Leafs to add a puck-moving blue-liner or use savings to target a forward.

Nick Robertson

Is this the year the Maple Leafs finally move Nicholas (Nick) Robertson? He had a career season with 32 points and 16 goals, but with the Leafs set to select Gavin McKenna first overall, and still no defined role for Robertson, maybe it’s time to move on.

With Matthews Knies, Easton Cowan, and possibly McKenna all at left tackle, Robertson’s future with the Maple Leafs is in serious jeopardy. When he walked out of the interview, he reportedly told Leafs management that he felt a change of scenery would be just what he needed at this point in his career. As a restricted free agent, any move could come as a sign and trade. At the very least, the team that gets him would want to talk about an extension.

At 24, Robertson will have a legitimate six-man appeal on a team that can give him real minutes and a defined role.

Anthony Stolarz

With the Woll trade leaving Anthony Stolarz and Denis Hildeby as the only proven hitters on the roster, there are still question marks about both. Stolarz has shown that he cannot host more than 35 games in a season. The jury is still out on whether Hildeby can be an NHL starter. That led to speculation that the Leafs could make a big change in goaltending. If so, moving Stolarz makes sense.

There has been chatter online about whether Stolarz could be moved, with Dallas floated as one possible destination given his limitations. Maybe even a return to Florida where he won the Stanley Cup as a backup.

If Chayka gets a proven starter — names like Connor Hellebuyck and Adin Hill have been traded — Stolarz becomes the piece to go. He has a 16-team no-trade clause in his contract, which shouldn’t be a big deal for Toronto if they try to move him.