Amid the trade speculation regarding Morgan Rielly this off-season, the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman will make his first public appearance since the height of the rumors at Hockey Night in Brampton on Aug. 19.
Throughout this off-season, trade rumours have continually surrounded Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly.
Many have called for the veteran blueliner to get a change of scenery, and the situation has gotten to the point where Rielly has provided a short list of teams that he'd be willing to get traded to if the process got that far.
Ever since these trade rumors and discussions intensified, Rielly hasn't had the chance to speak to it.
However, that will change when Aug. 19 rolls around, as the Hockey Night in Brampton charity game takes place on that day.
What does that have to do with Rielly? Well, he has been named a team captain for the event, meaning he will be in attendance and, ultimately, will have a chance to address all the trade speculation and his intentions with the Maple Leafs hockey club.
It will be his chance to clear the air on where he stands with the organization. Whether he would like to stay with the team for this coming season or exercise the opportunity for a change of scenery, the speculation will be addressed by the longtime Toronto blueliner.
The 32-year-old is the longest-serving Maple Leaf on the team and is gearing up for season No. 14 of his NHL career. He's seventh on the franchise's all-time list of games played with 951, which is just 30 appearances fewer than Mats Sundin.
Also, if he remains a member of the team by opening night of this coming season, he'll be the ninth Maple Leafs player to ever feature in 14 seasons for the franchise.
It was also revealed on Tuesday that former Maple Leafs Kris Versteeg and Phil Oreskovic will be participating in the Hockey Night in Brampton charity game this year.
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