18 Jun 2026 12:08:27
What if Toronto signed Simon Nemec to a bridge deal worth $4.7 million per season for two years, and Nemec played on the top defensive pairing? Then Morgan Rielly could be traded somewhere, and I think Jake McCabe could be a good partner for Nemec.

And draft second round pick Simon Nemec's brother, Adam Nemec.

I would also swap Michael Pezzetta for Angus Crookshank.

Maybe Rielly and Nick Robertson could be traded to New Jersey, with Dougie Hamilton coming to Toronto in return.



Then Hamilton could play on the second pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

I could also see Brandon Carlo being moved for something like a second-round pick, with Villeneuve might also be a good option, playing on the third pairing alongside Andrae.

If Chris Tanev isn't able to play, the defensive pairings could look something like this:

McCabe-Nemec
OEL-Hamilton
Villeneuve–Andrae.

1.) 18 Jun 2026
18 Jun 2026 12:44:30
100% in favour of going after Nemec. Hamilton isn’t much of an upgrade on Reilly and more money, so pass. That 3rd pairing is not good.

2.) 18 Jun 2026
18 Jun 2026 13:10:22
What I don't get about adding Andrae and just assuming he is on the team, is that wasn't Thrun supposed to have all the same skills but 6' 2". They have put up similar number in the NHL and although Andrae got sheltered minutes, Thrun wasn't sheltered as much getting mostly D-zone starts.

Seems like we just traded for a smaller version of a guy we have in the A almost the same age.

3.) 18 Jun 2026
18 Jun 2026 18:25:42
Rather offer sheet Bourque from Dal at the $4.7m.

4.) 18 Jun 2026
18 Jun 2026 20:59:15
I would love to get Bourque. But who knows. He might be got for a bit less than that or possibly more. Just have to reach out the agent and he will set the pre determined price and if the player even wants to go to the market.

I think he would be worth the $4.7 but if you can get him cheaper then open the conversation with the agent first.