The Toronto Maple Leafs are in need of a third-line center and a top-tier defenseman.

While the Leafs boast a strong roster that could contend with top teams like the Rangers, Stars, Hurricanes, and Jets, they are currently lacking these two key pieces: a solid third-line center and a top-pairing defenseman.

These gaps could be filled by players from likely non-playoff teams who, with the right salary retention, could seamlessly fit into the Leafs lineup.

Enter Zach Werenski and Nazem Kadri.

Kadri, a former Leaf who departed due to off-ice issues, has since won a Stanley Cup and would likely be welcomed back. His return could be a perfect fit for the current roster, both for his on-ice contributions and the narrative of a full-circle comeback.

Adding Kadri could boost the Leafs’ chances, especially if paired with Werenski, a superstar defenseman. Werenski’s potential availability stems from his age and injury history, which don’t align well with Columbus’ rebuilding timeline.

To make this happen, the Leafs would need to be creative. Kadri’s $7 million contract for the next four years could be acquired by offering the Flames a 2030 unprotected first-round pick and a retention of half his salary. The Leafs could also include Max Domi to fit Kadri’s $3.5 million cap hit.

For Werenski, the Leafs could offer a package including Easton Cowan, Topi Niemela, Nick Robertson, and draft picks, along with David Kampf and Conor Timmins to balance the salary cap.

With these trades, the Leafs could potentially form the NHL’s strongest lineup, featuring Matthews, Tavares, and Kadri down the middle, with a top-four defense of Rielly, Werenski, McCabe, and Tanev.

While challenging, this scenario seems achievable, as both players are likely available, and the proposed trade packages are fair and cap-compliant.