There is one less team now that would have been a fit for Morgan Rielly, and the Toronto Maple Leafs may need to press him a little bit
Sportsnet 590 The FAN: Frank Seravalli, when asked about the future of Morgan Rielly with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
“Yeah, I mean, for the Sharks, it was either Morgan Rielly or Darnell Nurse. I think that was part of the thought process. And it ended up Nurse came to fruition, and so Riley wasn’t able to step up in the meantime to say yes.
And when you get someone to finally come around you and agree, and that’s a guy you’re targeting, you kind of have to jump on it if you’re San Jose, because that may not happen with the other guy.
NHL Rumors: Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Edmonton Oilers
So, I think the interesting part, when it comes to San Jose, in particular with Rielly, you heard Darnell Nurse’s comments. Like I’m told the Sharks made a play for Darnell Nurse early last week, and a significant one, like kind of the same deal that they came to the Oilers, took it to Nurse, and he said ‘No.’ And then he came back around on it, as they were hoping that he would expand his list, and he said everyone that I talked to was saying this team’s up and coming, this team’s going to be good, why wouldn’t you want to go there?
And so I’m a little surprised in the end that, as look, again, Morgan Rielly’s days are numbered in Toronto. Why he wouldn’t come to that same opportunity and realization. And I think from a fit standpoint, Morgan Rielly probably would have been better for San Jose than Darnell Nurse in particular.
But nonetheless, Rielly remains. I don’t think for very long. The writing is on the wall. I think Rielly knows that he’s not part of the Leafs’ future plans, and they’re going to have to navigate that deftly for a guy who’s been a good soldier. But they probably also need to press a little bit, because it doesn’t make a lot of sense to continue on with Morgan Rielly in his current state.
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