Elliotte Friedman reports on sticking point between Leafs and Morgan Rielly in contract negotiations

The Toronto Maple Leafs are busy preparing for an important 2021-22 NHL season and it may be the team's final season with their #1 defenseman.

Pending unrestricted free agent Morgan Rielly has reportedly not begun contract renewal negotiations with the team in earnest yet, as both the team and the player are reportedly willing to see how the season plays out. With so much up in the air surrounding the Leafs right now, it appears that neither side is terribly interested in making a commitment until the dust settles on the 2021-22 season.

Interestingly enough though, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that money and cap hit aren't and won't be the main negotiating points when it comes time for the Leafs and Rielly to get a deal done. Friedman reports that, like former Leafs forward Zach Hyman who ultimately left town as a free agent, the real negotiations with Rielly will be regarding no-trade and no-move clauses.

From Friedman's most recent 32 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

I think Toronto lets things play out before making any decision on Morgan Rielly. It’s not only about what it costs to sign him, but what else they need to do cap-wise if they sign him. This season’s performance — and not just his own — determines what happens here. And, with several months to consider it, I don’t think money was the deciding factor in Zach Hyman’s negotiation. It was trade/no-move protection, which will be something to watch with Rielly, too.

I'm not sure I understand this approach, to be honest.

With Hyman it makes a lot of sense to balk at some sort of no-trade or no-move clause given Hyman's injury history. After all, this is a guy who is pushing 30 years old, who plays a rough and tumble game and who literally JUST came off of offseason knee surgery. That's... that's a little dicey to me.

Rielly though? He's a 27 year old smooth skating defenseman who has rarely missed time due to injury throughout his career. His style of play is polar opposite of Hyman's and, to me, he doesn't seem like a high risk or injury prone player. Thoughts, Leafs fans?