Trading Matthews and bringing in McDavid is counter productive. Why wouldnt a McDavid, Matthews work?
If your not bringing back Marner. There is is plenty of cap space being added over the next couple of years to have both on team, including Nylander. Remember many players are coming off the books in 2026 off season.
Cap is set to be $104 million. Yes you will add players this off season re-up Tavares, Knies. But you can easily have about 15 million of cap space for that off season if McDavid chooses to try out the market. With that said the Leafs can go over the cap until the season starts. So many moves can make it happen if it gets to that point
A McDavid, Matthews, Tavares top 3 at center would be huge.