Would You Trade Toronto Maple Leafs Duo For McDavid-Draisaitl?

The Toronto Maple Leafs just finished playing four games against the Edmonton Oilers in a 10-day span and the question of “which team has the better duo” was answered.

Sorry, Leafs fans but it’s not Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Having Toronto in an All-Canadian Division this year has been amazing. In year’s past I’ve found it difficult to watch Western games based on where I live, but now that there’s more meaningful games in the Eastern Time Zone it’s been a blast.

As a result, I can’t wait to watch the Leafs play Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl another five times this regular season. The talent that McDavid and Draisaitl possess every night has made me appreciate their greatness even more.

Would You Trade Toronto Maple Leafs Stars for the Oilers?

After watching the McDavid-Draisaitl duo face-off against the Marner-Matthews tandem four times in 10 days, I had an internal debate on whether or not I would trade away the Leafs amazing duo for McDavid and Draisaitl. That debate lasted two seconds long, because the answer was an emphatic yes.

Sure, the Leafs core is younger and has had more team success but getting McDavid on the Leafs would instantly turn them into the Stanley Cup favorite. Pair him up with Draisaitl and they would easily have the best odds in Vegas to win this season.

Although I think Matthews is the best pure goal scorer in the NHL and Marner is one of the most creative players of this generation, they can’t do what McDavid did on Saturday night.

Matthews and Marner can change a game and may eventually win a Hart or Art Ross Trophy, but they’re going to have to get past McDavid to do so. He should win all of the major NHL awards every season if he’s healthy.

The duo of Matthews and Marner have combined for 338 points in their last three seasons, which is a 1.13 point per game average. Pretty good, right? McDavid and Draisaitl have 451 points in that timeframe, for a 1.42 points per game average. It’s not even close how much more lethal they are.

McDavid and Draisaitl have been victims of their surroundings because the Oilers have had a terrible team around them for the past six years. If McDavid was dropped on the Leafs, John Tavares and William Nylander would be the two best players he’s ever played with beside Draisaitl. Not only that, but Freddie Andersen would be the best goaltender and Morgan Rielly would be the best defenseman he’s ever had.

Both of the Edmonton Oilers superstars are averaging two points per game in their first 11 games, yet their team has a 5-6 record. That has unfortunately been the theme in Edmonton since McDavid has arrived so he could use help. His back’s getting sore.

Although they need depth, in order for Edmonton to seriously consider a trade like this, I think the Leafs would have to throw in two first-round picks, Zach Hyman and William Nylander. I know that sounds crazy, but I think that’s what it would take for the Oilers to actually think about it. Obviously it would never happen, but Wayne Gretzky got traded one day, so if things continue to fail, maybe McDavid doesn’t last through his contract.

Hopefully for Toronto Maple Leafs fans sakes, Edmonton continues to waste McDavid’s talents so he wants to join his hometown team one day. If they continue to play their cards wrong, July 1, 2026 could be a special day for Toronto fans. Until then, we’ll just have to continue watching him and Draisaitl burn Leafs defensemen and torch them on the power-play.