Morgan Rielly is still not off the market. Chris Johnston said Thursday it would be premature to take the Leafs defenseman off the trade bait list, and added that his name remains very much in play as Toronto weighs whether to keep changing its blueline.
That is why the search around Brandon Carlo matters now: the Leafs are not dealing in vague offseason noise, but in a live discussion about a core defenseman whose status could shift if the right offer lands. Johnston said the Leafs would not give Rielly away, but also said it would take only a decent offer to compel them to act.
The backdrop is a team in the early part of the offseason, still looking to reshape the back end rather than freeze it in place. Johnston said Jim Hiller was effusive in his praise of Rielly when he was introduced officially as head coach of the Leafs, and he also said John Chayka is going to continue to listen on the player. That leaves the door open, even if the public tone on Thursday sounded calmer than a market that is actually closed.
That gap matters. Toronto can talk like a trade is unlikely and still keep listening, and Johnston’s read was that the club is doing exactly that. The language points to a narrow middle ground: Rielly is not being shopped cheaply, but he is not protected from a serious approach either. In practical terms, the Leafs are setting a price, not a wall.
The rest of the market only sharpens the picture. Darren Dreger said the Winnipeg Jets were willing to be patient about Connor Hellebuyck, while also saying Florida had expressed interest and the Buffalo Sabres could stabilize their goaltending by acquiring him. Pierre LeBrun, meanwhile, said Montreal and Toronto are potential fits for Mason Marchment, that the Columbus Blue Jackets still have interest in re-signing him, and that Montreal has been calling around to map out the market for a top-six forward upgrade.
LeBrun also said Montreal called the Islanders on Bo Horvat and was told he was not available, then checked with Columbus on Kirill Marchenko and got a no from the Blue Jackets. Put together, it shows a market where teams are testing limits, asking on names and waiting for a crack to open. For the Leafs, Rielly is still one of the names in that crack. Until a decent offer shows up, he stays there.
