There’s some quiet chatter making the rounds that could tie the Penguins and Maple Leafs together again… and it makes a lot of sense when you remember who’s running the show in Pittsburgh.
Kyle Dubas knows the Toronto roster as well as anyone… and he’s never been afraid to revisit familiar territory when trying to reshape a team. With the Penguins looking to stay competitive around Sidney Crosby while also getting younger on the fly, one name that keeps popping up is defenseman Morgan Rielly.
The framework being discussed is a potential swap that would send Rielly to Pittsburgh along with a second-round pick… with Toronto retaining a portion of his salary. In return, the Leafs would get young prospect Benjamin Kindel.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, this kind of move would be about stabilizing the blue line and adding a puck-moving presence who can log big minutes right now. Dubas has always trusted Rielly… leaned on him heavily during his time in Toronto… and knows exactly what he brings in terms of leadership, mobility, and offensive instincts. If the Penguins believe they still have a window with Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, adding a defenseman they know can handle pressure could be appealing.
For Toronto, the appeal centers around upside and patience. Benjamin Kindel is the type of prospect who may not be a headline name yet… but people who have tracked his progress see a player with real upside. He’s shown strong offensive instincts, plays with pace, and has the kind of natural confidence with the puck that can translate well at higher levels. There’s a creativity to his game that stands out, and he doesn’t shy away from trying to make something happen.
What makes Kindel especially intriguing is that he still feels like he’s just scratching the surface. He’s been very impressive in his development so far… and in the right system, with the right patience, he could take a significant step forward. Toronto has had success helping young players grow into bigger roles, and a fresh opportunity there could allow him to really flourish.
If the Leafs are willing to retain some salary on Rielly and add a second-round pick… it signals this would be more about the long-term return than the immediate one. And if Kindel turns into what some believe he can become… it could end up being the kind of move that looks small at first but pays off in a big way down the road.
Nothing is close… but with Dubas’ familiarity with Toronto’s roster and his willingness to make bold but calculated bets… this is the type of rumor that’s at least worth keeping an eye on.