John Chayka: Maple Leafs Not Planning to Trade Morgan Rielly ‘As I Stand Here Today,’ But Discussions Continue
Story byJohn Chayka was direct on the eve of the 2026 NHL Draft: the Toronto Maple Leafs are not actively looking to move Morgan Rielly right now. Whether he means it or he's just trying to get a better offer is just a matter of waiting.
Speaking to reporters at the Ford Performance Centre on Thursday, the Maple Leafs general manager addressed the swirling speculation around the longest-tenured player on the roster and delivered the most direct public update yet on where things stand.
AdvertisementAdvertisementDoes he anticipate he will move Rielly?
“I don’t think so. As I stand here today. No,” Chayka said. “But, again, those are the discussions we’ll continue to have.”
The comments came amid reports that Rielly has submitted a list of teams he would consider waiving his no-move clause for. Chayka did not confirm or deny the existence of any specific list, but he spoke about the ongoing dialogue with the veteran defenceman and his representation.
“Morgan’s the longest tenured Leaf, and I’ve got tons of respect, as does Mats (Senior Executive Advisor To Hockey Operations Mats Sundin),” Chayka said,. “I mean, there’s probably no one else that could appreciate and understand it and respect it like Mats Sundin does. So no different than any player. We’re constantly having discussions about what’s the best fit for the player, what’s the best fit for the team, how do we put the best team on the ice, and having conversations around that.
AdvertisementAdvertisement“So we’ve had lots of great discussions with Morgan and his representation. You know, they’ve been great to deal with. We have good relationships. It’s something where we’re continuing to have those discussions. I know he loves being on Toronto Maple Leaf, and we think he’s a great player. And we’re just trying to find the right fit for everyone.”
Chayka’s tone was consistent with the process-oriented approach he has described since taking over as general manager. Whether the topic was the first overall pick, which he confirmed the team is “probably likely” to use after considering trade offers. or the recent head coaching hire, Chayka has stressed thorough evaluation, multiple perspectives and arriving at decisions with conviction once every angle has been examined.
That stance carries weight coming from a general manager who has shown he is willing to explore every option. Earlier in the same availability, Chayka said the organization considered “everything” with the top pick and still landed on keeping it. On Matthew Knies, he acknowledged the team is fielding offers for the elite power forward but is not actively shopping him because moving that kind of player in his prime at a team-friendly number is “incredibly difficult” to justify from a roster-building standpoint.
AdvertisementAdvertisementRielly’s situation is different in texture but similar in philosophy.
The ongoing nature of the conversations, however, means nothing is closed off permanently. Chayka noted that the free-agent market is thinner than in recent years while the salary cap has risen, creating conditions where more movement across the league is likely. He described the current period as still early in the offseason, with the full picture of how things will net out still developing.
For now, though, the public message on Rielly is one of stability. The discussions will continue as they do with every player. but Chayka does not see a trade materializing in the immediate future.
AdvertisementAdvertisementMy take:
I think Chayka is not eager to show that they will move Rielly just for the sake of moving him. If they can unload the entire salary cap hit of $7.5 million that’s committed through 2030 along with pieces or picks that make the team better, the Leafs will be eager to consider it. But Chayka knows these comments will be posted on X and send signals to other GM that they aren’t as desperate to move Rielly as people seem to believe.
Chayka also provided positive updates on other roster pieces. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz is fully recovered from his previous injury and, according to Chayka, is in even better shape than he was at the end of last season. Defenceman Chris Tanev is already skating and expected to be ready for training camp.
As the Leafs prepare to step to the podium Friday night with the first overall selection. a choice Chayka said came with “a lot of conviction” and unanimous internal support after extensive video, data, medical and scouting work. the organization is balancing the excitement of adding high-upside talent with the reality of managing an existing core.
AdvertisementAdvertisementRielly remains part of that equation for the time being. Whether the continued conversations with him and his camp eventually produce a different outcome is a question for another day
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
