07 Jul 2026 12:34:49
Not sure if this is even worth while, but here goes.
Risky and lots of hurdles to cross as far as NMC's & M-NTC's.

To NJ
Stolarz $3.75M/ 4yrs
Rielly $7.5M/ 4yrs
Joshua $3.25M/ 2yrs
$14.5M out

To Toronto
Allen, Jake $1.8M/ 4yrs
Kovacevic $4.0M/ 4yrs
Mercer $4.M/ 1yr RFA
$9.8M in

Risky - Leafs
Allen will be 36 soon, so we are even more reliant on Bob being good & staying healthy. Two older goalies now.
Kovacevic had major knee surgery during the 2024/ 2025 playoffs & returned to Jersey in January this year, but did play all remaining games.

Risky - Devils
Stolarz being #1 golalie with his injury history.

Anyways, Leafs clear much needed cap space and are now under the cap.
They get more of a backup goalie behind Bob at a lower AAV.
They get another shutdown Dman who plays physical & can PK (PK Dman needed)
They get a young versatile RH player who can play any RW position, fill in at C and is a great 200 foot player.

Jersey gets their #1 goalie, who is a homegrown Jersey boy.
They get another puck moving Dman, which they are looking for to balance out their lines.
3 shutdown guys in Siegenthaler, Pesce & Dillon and now 3 puck moving guys in Hughes, Hamilton & Rielly.
Joshua should fit in seamlessly on 3LW with Glass & Rodrigues.

Hurdles
Rielly agreeing to waive for NJ, he has good history with Keefe so hopefully that sways his decision.
Stolarz 10 team no trade, which I'm sure he'd waive for his home town and the chance to be the #1 goalie.
Also Allen, Kovacevic & Joshua have to waive their M-NTC is either team us on their list.

***It's just crazy how many player's have some form of NTC.

Thoughts?

1.) 07 Jul 2026
07 Jul 2026 13:21:03
Don’t like it for only saving $4.7m and making the team worse in the process. Better trades out there.

2.) 07 Jul 2026
07 Jul 2026 13:27:21
The trade does not make the Leafs worse!

3.) 07 Jul 2026
07 Jul 2026 14:52:17
Ignore my first response. What I should have said is no way Devils agree to this trade for that package. Mercer going nowhere. They would want to get rid of Hamilton for Rielly. Stolarz for Allen they would do for sure.

Their left side will be ridiculous in cap hits with Rielly and Hamilton there. Never happen. Then there is no cap relief for Leafs it would balance out taking on Hamilton and Allen for Stolarz and Rielly.

4.) 08 Jul 2026
07 Jul 2026 21:30:27
If Jersey agrees, I love the idea of getting Mercer.

Even if you have to work in Dougie Hamilton to offset cap hits I'm still good with it. Big fan of Mercer.

5.) 08 Jul 2026
08 Jul 2026 13:34:59
No benefit to the Leafs if Hamilton is involved. No thanks, cause they won’t include Mercer for Joshua and Stolarz.

6.) 08 Jul 2026
08 Jul 2026 15:51:31
Leave Hamilton out of the deal, we don't need or want him.
Just keep Rielly and change to OEL (he holds more trade value & costs less).

Stolarz, Joshua & OEL $10.5M out
For
Allen, Mercer & Kovacevic $9.8M in

Maybe Leafs need to add a B/C level prospect or a 3rd/4th draft pick at most.