Maple Leafs Urged to Move Star Defenseman After Playoff Failure
The fallout from the Toronto Maple Leafs' latest postseason failure has already begun. With the team eliminated in a 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7, questions about the futures of several key figures are intensifying.
One of the strongest criticisms came from Sportsnet's JD Bunkis, who singled out defenseman Morgan Rielly as a member of a core that, in Bunkis' eyes, needs to be dismantled.
Advertisement
Rielly, who completed the third year of an eight-year, $60 million contract, has been with the Leafs since Toronto drafted him with the No. 5 pick of the 2012 NHL draft.
'I think he should be gone,' Bunkis said on Monday's "Leafs Talk" show. 'Let's get into cuts—for me, it's start with this: Shanahan, gone. I don't see a scenario that makes any sense with Marner. And yeah, I think Rielly is the next cut.
'Those are the three automatics.'
Rielly's contract includes a full no-movement clause, but Bunkis suggested Toronto could apply pressure to force him to accept a trade elsewhere.
Rielly is coming off a 41-point regular season and scored seven more points in 13 playoff games. The veteran blueliner, however, was on the ice during multiple key breakdowns in Game 7 and finished the playoffs with a minus-2 valuation.
Advertisement
After the loss, Rielly acknowledged the team's collapse in the second period.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16), Auston Matthews (34) and Matthew Knies (23) congratulate Morgan Rielly (44) after a goal.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
'Obviously there was a period there where they get three, and we're not able to weather the storm, or push back,' Rielly said. 'In there somewhere is a pretty crucial part of the game.'
Rielly was presented with a scenario in which he would be moved from Toronto, but he wasn't that interested in entertaining it.
'That's not what I'm thinking about right now,' Rielly said.
Rielly's mind is set on Toronto for the time being, as he made clear while addressing the media on Tuesday.
Related: Auston Matthews' Leadership Questioned By Former Maple Leafs Player
Related: Maple Leafs Coach Points Out Core Four's Main Flaw After Game 7 Loss
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
7 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Flying High: Toronto Blue Jays on upswing entering home series against Phillies
TORONTO - A visit by the woeful Athletics came at an ideal time for the Toronto Blue Jays. Canada's lone big-league team was in a tailspin before finding its form last week. Toronto has won five in a row and sat a half-game out of an American League wild-card spot entering Monday's games. The Blue Jays, who were idle Monday, will continue their homestand Tuesday night against the 36-23 Philadelphia Phillies, a team they will play six times over the next fortnight. OFFENCE CLICKING After managing just six runs over a six-game road trip, the Blue Jays kicked off their current homestand by scoring a whopping 39 runs over a four-game sweep of the A's. Addison Barger homered in three straight games over the weekend as Toronto went deep 11 times over the series. The Blue Jays have been getting contributions up and down the lineup of late. Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Alejandro Kirk have anchored the top half of the batting order. Barger, Ernie Clement, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw and Jonatan Clase — all hitting at least .267 — have helped turn the lineup over with timely hitting. However, two of Toronto's big-ticket acquisitions have struggled this season. Andres Gimenez and Anthony Santander, both on the injured list, have sub-.200 averages with OPS marks under .600. BULLISH BULLPEN One of Toronto's most-improved areas is the bullpen, which is ranked ninth in the major leagues with a 3.47 earned-run average. That's down significantly from the bullpen's 4.82 ERA in 2024, the second-worst mark among the 30 teams. With setup man Yimi Garcia on the injured list, Brendon Little (3-0, 1.37), Mason Fluharty (3-1, 3.33), Chad Green (1-1, 3.91) and Yariel Rodriguez (0-0, 2.73) have stepped up in his absence. Closer Jeff Hoffman has earned 13 saves in 16 opportunities. His three blown saves have boosted his ERA to a rather bloated 5.81. SO-SO STARTERS Injuries and middling performances have led to a starting rotation that has been serviceable but capable of much more. Veterans Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt have been steady with the three right-handers posting remarkably similar numbers (all between 3.80-3.90 ERA, 66-70 IP and 65-70 strikeouts). Bowden Francis (2-6, 5.04) has been unable to duplicate his strong second half from 2024, and Max Scherzer has pitched only three innings due to a thumb issue. Scherzer's absence has forced manager John Schneider to turn to spot starters and openers, often for so-called bullpen games. The good news for the Blue Jays is Scherzer is throwing live bullpen sessions now, and Alek Manoah (elbow surgery) could make his season debut this summer. INJURED VARSHO After missing the first few weeks of the season as he built up after shoulder surgery, Daulton Varsho delivered an immediate spark to the lineup when he returned. The Gold Glove centre-fielder provided stellar defence and hit eight homers with 20 RBIs over 24 games before landing back on the injured list. Varsho strained his left hamstring over the weekend while trying to stretch a double into a triple. He's out on a week-to-week basis. Utilityman Davis Schneider was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to fill in. NUMBERS GAME It's early days with almost two-thirds of the season still to go, but the 31-28 Blue Jays appear to be a coin flip to make the post-season. Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA standings peg Toronto's playoff chances at 48.6 per cent, slightly ahead of FanGraphs' projections at 43.1 per cent. Cleveland started the day in the American League's first wild-card spot at 32-26. Toronto was one of five teams within 2 1/2 games of the Guardians. The Blue Jays made the playoffs in three of four years before finishing last in the East Division standings in 2024. Toronto hasn't won a playoff game since 2016. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: How the Raptors could pull off this giant deal
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: How the Raptors could pull off this giant deal Last month, NBA fans learned that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was reportedly "open-minded" about a trade. It makes sense that Antetokounmpo would potentially have this on his mind considering that Milwaukee's season ended in such embarrassing fashion. Their future does not look particularly bright, either, considering that their star point guard Damian Lillard recently suffered a torn Achilles. Several teams have emerged as potential suitors for his services with the Rockets and the Spurs emerging as early favorites. Even the Mavericks caused some whispers after they shockingly won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, though now it seems more likely they will simply draft Cooper Flagg. More: Ranking 8 Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spots after another playoff exit Many of the other usual suspects are often mentioned when folks speculate about where Antetokounmpo is eventually traded. But in the past few days, a new team is gaining some momentum as a surprising suitor as well: The Toronto Raptors. According to Toronto Star reporter Doug Smith, there is "mutual interest" between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors. ESPN's Brian Windhorst also separately reported that the Raptors are "looking for a big fish" in the trade market. The Raptors reportedly tried to draft Antetokounmpo when he was a prospect back in 2013 and the superstar has deep ties to Toronto executive Masai Ujiri. Meanwhile, per Raphael Barlowe, the father of a player projected to hear his name in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery said that the Bucks have done "background work" to research his son. Milwaukee does not have a pick until No. 47, but the Raptors are on the clock at No. 9 overall. Perhaps the framework of the deal would involve the pick as well as several other assets on Toronto's roster. Toronto would also have to include one of their players on bigger contracts (e.g. Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, or Immanuel Quickley) for salary-matching and some of their younger assets to entice Milwaukee, but all of this is entirely possible if the interest is as strong as it is beginning to seem.
NBC Sports
11 hours ago
- NBC Sports
NBA Trade Rumors Roundup: Interest between Antetokounmpo and Raptors, Pistons looking at bigs Reid, Turner
There is all sorts of buzz about how this could be one of the biggest, wildest NBA offseasons ever. Here are just some of the latest rumors. 'Mutual interest' between Raptors, Antetokounmpo It's no secret that Toronto Raptors decision maker Masai Ujiri has long had an interest in bringing Giannis Antetokounmpo north of the border, but that has never been an option. Until now. Maybe. Antetokounmpo has yet to sit down and discuss his future with the Bucks, but other teams around the league are gearing up for him to request a trade out of Milwaukee. That includes Toronto, and there is mutual interest, according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. 'I don't know if it will happen but I do know there is mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors. The wild card is cost.' Add to that this comment from ESPN's Brian Windhorst on his Hoop Collective Podcast: 'The Raptors are a team that is starting to make noise within the league about looking for a big fish... There are some teams that sniff the ability to make a move and I think Toronto is one of those teams.' If Antetokounmpo demands a trade but wants to stay in the East (one of the rumors out there), then the Raptors have a chance. Their offer can pair a bigger-salaried player, such as Brandon Ingram or RJ Barrett, with some promising young players, such as Grady Dick and Ochai Agbaj. Additionally, the Raptors control all their own picks, so they could potentially select three (or more). I'm not sure if that offer would win the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes (and a third team likely gets involved to make the numbers work), but it's a legitimate offer. The ball is now in Antetokounmpo's court. Does he demand a trade at all? If he does, what, if any, restrictions does he put on it? Stay in the East? Does he give a list of specific teams it has to be? There are more questions than answers, but Toronto could be a landing place for Antetokounmpo. Pistons interested in Naz Reid, Myles Turner The Detroit Pistons are looking for a floor spacing big man to run some pick-and-pop plays with Cade Cunningham, and they have their eyes on Minnesota's Naz Reid and Indiana's Myles Turner, reports Marc Stein in his newsletter. Turner is about to play in the NBA Finals and is a key part of the Pacers' offense with his pick-and-pop play off Tyrese Haliburton. The league-wide expectation is that he won't really hit the open market and will re-sign in Indiana (likely on an Isaiah Hartenstein-sized deal). Reid is a more interesting case. He is expected to opt out of his $15 million player option for next season, seeking a raise and the security of a multi-year contract. Minnesota is battling cap issues and would go deep into the second apron to bring back its three major free agents Reid, Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. That has led to considerable speculation that Reid could hit the open market, as he is also seeking a larger role. In that context, Detroit appears to be a good fit. It's something to watch. Rockets looking to trade No. 10 pick You can never have too many good young players... except the Houston Rockets kind of feel like you can. This is a team so deep that last year's Summer League standout Reed Sheppard had a hard time finding minutes. So when it comes to the No. 10 pick, the Rockets would rather trade it than keep it, reports Kevin O'Conner of Yahoo Sports. 'League sources expect the Rockets to look into trading this pick, whether it's a trade way up, a trade out for a star, or a trade out for a group of future picks similar to what the Spurs received from the Timberwolves when they moved up for Rob Dillingham last year.' The Rockets have a wealth of young players and picks to trade in order to go after Giannis Antetokounmpo or any other star that becomes available. The No. 10 pick is likely a part of any of those packages. Zion Williamson not untouchable. Maybe. The vibe from people close to the Pelicans is that new decision-maker Joe Dumars plans to keep Zion Williamson and become the latest executive to try and build around him. However, don't think of Zion as untouchable, reports Kevin O'Conner of Yahoo Sports. 'There are no untouchables in New Orleans. League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, namely Zion Williamson, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available.' While there is trade interest in Zion, it's not expected to be a strong market, considering his contract and injury history, plus the latest personal life scandal surrounding him does not help matters. Some teams would take him in a favorable deal, but they are not willing to go all-in to acquire him. Which means expect Zion to be in New Orleans next season. Still, the door to a trade is open if one of the teams that misses out on Antetokounmpo comes calling with a big offer. Bulls eying Egor Demin in draft BYU's Egor Denim is maybe the most polarizing player in the draft. His supporters will point out he is the best passer in this class and as a 6'8" point guard with an excellent feel for the game he could lead a team. His detractors were not impressed with his 10.6 points a game on 27.3% from 3 — his shot needs a lot of work. Apparently count the Bulls as backers as they reportedly are eyeing him as the No. 12 pick, reports Joe Cowley at The Chicago Sun-Times. That is a lot higher than we had Demin going in the latest NBC Sports Mock Draft, where he fell to the Wizards at No. 18. (For the record, we had the Bulls taking French forward Noa Essengue as someone who could play well off Josh Giddey.) However, by No. 12 in the draft teams should consider taking a big swing, and if the Bulls believe in Demin's potential, then go for it. We can discuss the Bulls' quality of player evaluation in recent years another day.
