Report: Two Maple Leafs players as good as gone

New Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has his work cut out for him, taking over perhaps the highest profile executive job in the National Hockey League from Kyle Dubas; the latter has since taken the job of President of Hockey Operations of the Pittsburgh Penguins.  

And according to one notable NHL Insider, it looks as though he could be getting ready to bid goodbye to two key acquisitions that were made by Dubas. Seravalli opines that both Michael Bunting, who was a nominee for the 2022 Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie, along with 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Ryan O'Reilly, are as good as gone. 

Seravalli had the following to say earlier today while making an appearance on Leafs Morning Take: 

"Ryan O'Reilly - I don't know why people seemed to combat this from the moment I said it back when the trade was made.. There was next to no chance that he was re-signing [in Toronto].

Michael Bunting - I think they'd [like to], they just can't afford it. He's sort of the next Zach Hyman."

Bunting, who began his career in the Arizona Coyotes organization, was inked to a two year contract worth $1.9 million by Dubas in the summer of 2021. He had a productive first full year in the NHL, scoring 23 goals with 40 assists; he was the runner up to the Calder but lost to Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider. He followed up his rookie year by once again tallying 23 goals this most recent season.

O'Reilly was acquired by Dubas at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline from the St. Louis Blues along with Noel Acciari, and he immediately paid dividends with his new team and was instrumental in Toronto finally breaking their lengthy playoff curse by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning this past April in Round 1. 

Both players are eligible to become free agents.