Do you think the Blackhawks should target Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly?
In a recent article for Sportsnet, Ryan Dixon took a look at a handful of potential trade destinations for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. The Chicago Blackhawks were interestingly among the teams listed.
"Chicago is in clear need of a step forward and, with the young talent assembled, it’s not unreasonable to think the Hawks could be sniffing a wild-card berth next year," Dixon wrote. "With Connor Murphy dealt away at the deadline, there’s a dearth of veteran know-how on the Hawks back end. If Rielly had any trepidation about joining another team that missed the post-season this past year, it could be tempered by the possibility of a massive role on that squad."
The idea of the Blackhawks swinging a deal for Rielly is an intriguing one. He would immediately become one of their top defensemen if acquired and could slot nicely in their top four. He would also give them a clear option for their power play because of his puck-moving ability.
Rielly is coming off a down year for his standards, like many Maple Leafs players. In 78 games this season with Toronto, he posted 11 goals and 36 points. However, given his strong resume, the possibility of him bouncing back for the Blackhawks if acquired should not be ruled out.
Rielly has a $7.5 million cap hit until the end of the 2029-30 season, so he would be a long-term addition for the Blackhawks.
With the Blackhawks needing help on their left side, Rielly could be an interesting veteran for them to take a chance on. However, at the same time, trading for the 32-year-old would come with some risk due to his recent struggles and expensive cap hit.