Over the cap with a 20 man roster

how is a backup/fringe starter worth a first?

There would need to be some minor moves.

He's a top back up. If they get him for less great - I erred on the side of being cautious as opposed to people who are usually unrealistic on the other side of the spectrum

Keeping Connor Happy:

McDavid to Nashville

Tolvanen, Josi, Turris, Handful of picks to Edmonton

Free the poor man

i think if Mcdavid leaves it will be to a team like TOR or CHI
they're the only ones with the pieces to give up Mcdavid without losing their ability to compete for a stanley cup .
CHI drafting in the first round has been so bad giving up a few in a bundle to land Mcdavid is a no brainer .
TOR has a variety of options when it comes to a Mcdavid trade and they'd still be a better team come playoff time no matter whom they lose

i'd love to pretend MTL is an option but he'd just be trading one media **** show for another
NSH doesnt have the pieces to give up without no longer being a contender
what you offered isnt enough to get Drisatl and a non competitive offer for Mcdavid who will see a lot of teams offering deals if he decides to leave

Thinking something similar but with Columbus for Werenski/Jones, Texier/Bemstrom, and Wennberg plus picks.