After Mitch Marner exit, Toronto Maple Leafs weigh trading Morgan Rielly or Brandon Carlo

With the departure of star forward Mitch Marner this offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves needing to retool their roster, particularly on offense. While the team has made a few solid additions, it appears they might still be active on the trade front.

According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, the Leafs are reportedly considering trading a defenseman, either Morgan Rielly or Brandon Carlo, to make room for more offensive firepower.

Toronto Maple Leafs explore defensive trade involving Morgan Rielly or Brandon Carlo to replace lost offense after Mitch Marner exit

The loss of Mitch Marner, who tallied 27 goals and 75 assists last season, has left a significant void in Toronto’s forward group. To compensate, the Maple Leafs are now reportedly open to moving one of their defensemen. Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo are the names most frequently mentioned, though Rielly’s no-movement clause could complicate a potential deal.Brandon Carlo, however, may be the more likely trade candidate. With just an eight-team no-trade list, Carlo offers the front office greater flexibility. He carries a manageable $3.485 million cap hit for the next two seasons and logged over 19 minutes of ice time per game last season, including crucial minutes on the penalty kill. In the playoffs, he ranked among Toronto’s leaders in blocked shots, adding to his value as a dependable, stay-at-home defenseman.

Front office weighs options as offseason continues

The Leafs’ front office remains active in exploring ways to improve the team before the 2025–26 season begins. Trading a blueliner like Carlo or Rielly could give them the cap space and flexibility needed to acquire a top-six forward or additional scoring depth. However, the team has limited tradable assets left, which adds urgency and pressure to any move they might consider.Despite a relatively quiet offseason so far, general manager Brad Treliving and his staff appear far from done.

With training camp still weeks away, there’s enough time for Toronto to make a significant move to reshape its roster post-Marner. The decision to trade a defenseman may be the team’s best option to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference.Mitch Marner’s exit has forced the Maple Leafs to rethink their approach heading into the new season. By considering a trade involving Morgan Rielly or Brandon Carlo, the team is signaling its willingness to take bold steps to restore balance and scoring to its lineup.FAQs:1. What is Mitch Marner’s net worth in 2025?Mitch Marner’s estimated net worth in 2025 is around $20–25 million, largely from his NHL salary and endorsements.2. Which team does Mitch Marner play for now?As of the 2025 offseason, Mitch Marner has joined the Vegas Golden Knights via a sign-and-trade deal.Also Read: Jon Cooper, Bruce Cassidy, Rick Tocchet, and Peter DeBoer reunite to coach Team Canada at 2026 Olympic Games