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Jay on Leafs>Leafs ask Veteran to Waive NTC, |
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A New Philosophy in Toronto: Leafs Ask Veteran to Waive No-Trade Clause
Every General Manager in the NHL has a unique stance on No-Trade Clauses. Some believe this protection should be reserved for elite players, while others hand them out more freely. Once a player has that protection, some GMs refuse to even broach the subject of waiving it, preferring to wait for the player to request a change of scenery.
Brian Burke famously believed a player should never be approached to waive—a philosophy of player comfort that Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas also adopted. While this player-friendly approach was likely appreciated in the locker room, it’s not the ruthless, cut-throat mentality that has led many recent teams to hoist the Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights, Lightning, and Panthers, for instance, have shown a willingness to pressure players when necessary to do what's best for the organization.
Now, under the new leadership of Keith Pelley and Brad Treliving, it appears the Maple Leafs are finally ready to make their players a little uncomfortable. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, the Maple Leafs have approached the team's longest-serving player, Morgan Rielly, about waiving his trade protection.
Kypreos revealed that Leafs management approached Rielly about a fresh start earlier this summer. Rielly has struggled to run the Leafs' power play, ultimately losing his spot on the top unit to a five-forward system last season. This move signals a significant—and much-needed—shift in the team's organizational philosophy.
Rielly has five full seasons remaining on his contract, which carries a $7.5 million cap hit. At 31 years old, Rielly's recent dip in production is likely less of a slump and more of a permanent regression. If Toronto could shed this contract, it would be a major win for the franchise.
However, for a trade to occur, the Leafs must overcome one major obstacle: Rielly’s full no-movement clause (NMC). The NMC prevents Toronto from pressuring Rielly to accept a deal by threatening to place him on waivers. This protection forces Toronto to work hand-in-hand with Rielly to find him a suitable new home.
Brad Treliving has already had an impressive summer, and trading Morgan Rielly would be the icing on the cake, providing the franchise with major flexibility moving forward. Regardless of whether he's successful, it's clear that Brad Treliving is forging his own legacy and culture in Toronto, signaling that the "Shanaplan" era has finally come to an end.
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