Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka anticipates that defenseman Morgan Rielly will still be on the team next season.
"I don't think (Rielly will move) as we stand here, but again, those are conversations we continue to have," Chayka said Thursday, according to NHL.com's Dave McCarthy.
Rielly has a full no-movement clause and is under contract through 2029-30 at a $7.5-million cap hit.
"It's a great relationship. We've had great discussions. He loves being a Toronto Maple Leaf, and we certainly think he's a great player," Chayka said, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
Rielly registered 11 goals and 36 points in 78 games last season, which was his lowest scoring rate since 2016-17.
Jim Hiller, Toronto's new bench boss, coached Rielly from 2015-19 when he was an assistant with the Maple Leafs.
"We'll see where (the trade speculation) goes, but from my perspective, I know him, I like him," Hiller said, according to Postmedia's Terry Koshan. "I hope he's part of the team in the future, and if it goes a different direction, so be it. That's nothing I can control."
The Maple Leafs drafted Rielly fifth overall in 2012. The 32-year-old has played 951 games with Toronto, which ranks seventh in franchise history and third among defensemen.
