re-build and ideas

Branny for a 2nd makes no sense. They'll either keep him, trade him for a prospect with similar upside (probably a forward?), Or in a package for a much more immediate impact player. Brannstrom is, at very worst a 22 year old who is completely capable of playing 3rd pair and 2nd Power Play at the NHL level. At his peak upside, he's a 2nd pair offensive Dman who can QB a 1st PP unit and give 40-50 points. His value, even if you're super low on his upside, is higher than a 2nd.

EDIT: I like Josh Anderson probably more than most. At his very best he's a Brady Tkachuk type who can skate at a high level. The problem is that he's not at his best often enough to be worth his contract, and when he's not at his best, he's closer to a 2-3mil guy in your bottom six than he is to a guy you want locked up at 5.5mil until 2027. I think if he was a consistent threat he'd basically be the ideal RW for Tim Stützle, but I just don't think he's that guy. Also as a separate point, I think at this point I think the separation between him and Drake Batherson is drastic enough to warrant recognition. Batherson is top 9 (tied) in the entire league in points.

MTL
Brännström, Erik
OTT
2023 2nd round pick (MTL)

MTL
2022 2nd round pick (TBL)
2022 3rd round pick (BOS)
2022 6th round pick (OTT)
OTT
Anderson, Josh
Wideman, Chris
Additional Details:
puts Anderson as their best right winger, maybe behind Batherson, gives them scoring and toughness


Brannstrom deal isn't happening.

Before Josh Anderson was a Hab, he had 115 points in 267 games, or a 0.43 PPG. Since becoming a Hab, he has 30 points in 68 games, or a 0.44 PPG.

The last two seasons
24 26 50 Batherson (23 years old) ($5MM)
20 23 43 Tkachuk (22 years old) ($8.3MM)
23 19 42 Brown (27 years old) ($3.6MM)
13 22 35 Stützle (19 years old) (ELC)
20 10 30 Anderson (27 years old) ($5.5MM)

Anderson isn't a top6 forward for Ottawa, and at a $5.5MM contract, he needs to be. I like Anderson, just not at $5.5MM.

What about Tuch or Ylonen for Brannstrom straight up? Both have top 6 upside but are more likely to top out at middle 6. Ylonen is an Armia type of player while Tuch compares well to his brother.

It wouldn't be straight up, it would be added to the 2nd

However, just continue to wait and Brannstrom's value will continue to depreciate. Dorion is probably the worst asset manager in the league.

Start of next season will be the best time to get him for cheap. A 2nd could be enough then

I don't agree that Luke Tuch compares well to his brother at all. Alex Tuch was a beast in college, and his brother really hasn't done much at all. He's still a teenager, so he's obviously got plenty of time to figure himself out, but don't think he'd be nearly as hyped as a prospect if he didn't share his brother's last name. I think it's more of an Alex Nylander situation than Brady Tkachuk situation.

Ylonen is certainly more interesting. He's a nice prospect and he seems to be developing nicely, but again, I think Ottawa is giving up so much more value immediately, and they give up a lot more in terms of upside. Ylonen is probably gonna be a solid NHL player, but I don't see him as more than a 3rd liner tbh.