you would need to win this year if not you are going to struggle to have a team the next year.
They will have to pay there 6 million in performance bonuses for matthews and marner. as overages.
which then leaves 25 million to sign matthews in the 10-11Mill range Marner in the 6-7 range, 5 Defenseman, top 6 winger, and back up goalie.
not going to happen. I think they will ruin there team by getting tavares

You get rid of Ziatsev and don’t get a replacement ?‍♂️

I guess if Sidney Crosby was available and willing to listen/sign with the Leafs than that would ruin the team too? Good players bring out the best in other players. Bottom line is that if you want a top-2 defenceman than you'll most likely lose (Nylander+) in a trade. I'd rather have a team that has two bottom pairing lines that play fast offensively as well as hard defensively. P.S. who goves a crap about performance bonuses if the team is dominating in the standings.

Aside from the first round draft pick acquired. Carrick, Hull, Ozhiganov & Rosén can fight over Zaitsev's spot. And see which one of them wants it more.

you have to factor in the performance bonus for the next years cap.
your team will be full of 5-6 pairing dmen who wont be able to get the puck to your good forwards.
plus you will be paying tavares a ton for his declining years not his prime years.
better of developing the core you have and place a really good dmen and another good winger with them.
for instance way better off with a neal or JVR up front and trying to acquire someone like trouba from Winnipeg who is in a cap crunch.
for the price of tavares you might even be able to add 3 of them. much deeper and better team