Anaheim Ducks
· 2026-06-25
The Anaheim Ducks are one of four Western Conference teams that Toronto Maple Leafs' defenseman Morgan Rielly is willing to join, according to a report by TSN analyst Darren Dreger.
Rielly's agent, J.P. Barry, submitted a list of teams the defenseman would consider joining, with insider Chris Johnston pointing to the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks as potential destinations.
The Anaheim Ducks, currently 7th in the Western Conference with a 43-33 record, lost their last game 1-5 to the Vegas Golden Knights on May 15.
The addition of Rielly would provide a significant boost to the Ducks' playoff hopes, with the team looking to take the next step after reaching the second round of the playoffs.
Rielly, 32, has spent 13 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, recording 11 goals and 25 assists in 78 games last season, and has four years remaining on his contract with a $7.5 million cap hit.
If the Maple Leafs fully commit to a youth-focused retool, moving Rielly could accelerate that transition, with the Ducks and Sharks potentially benefiting from his leadership and playoff experience.
The Ducks' blue line still lacks a proven veteran capable of handling major minutes and driving offense from the back end, making Rielly a logical fit.
And with the Sharks having significant cap space and a young core, they could also be a potential destination for the veteran defenseman.
But the Ducks appear closer to contention, with rising stars such as Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson, and the addition of Rielly could be a key factor in their push for the playoffs.
So the next few weeks will be crucial in determining Rielly's future, with the Ducks and Sharks waiting to see if they can land the veteran defenseman.
The Maple Leafs' decision to move Rielly could have a significant impact on the team's rebuild, with the Ducks and Sharks potentially benefiting from his experience and leadership.