Quoting: ConnorsCousin
what would be enough? Manning has 1 year left, helps them reach cap floor and can be buried if they really don't like him on the NHL roster.
What is the cost of 1.5M for 4 years?
There are other variables that come to mind when a team is entertaining a trade offer. The perceived value and gain of a certain trade (I get XYZ in return for ABC) is a big part of it yes. There are cap considerations as you mentioned and yes, this would help the Sens reach the cap floor. But there is also the implications on adding another D to an already cramped depth chart. It really depends on what the Sens think of their D depth chart, who they believe will occupy the top 6 D spots, which players have 2-way contracts and can be sent down to the ahl, which player(s) they think will occupy the 7th D (press box half the year) / which prospect needs nhl ice time to further their development (or else might as well trade him (thinking of Lajoie).
IF your top six is:
Chabot - Demelo
Brannstrom - Ceci
Wolanin - Jaros
Borowieki is your 7th D (that the coach will likely inexplicably be giving more ice time than Wolanin). Harpur is also on a 1-way and for some reason, also heavily favoured by the Sens organization.
IF the Sens don't re-sign Goloubef, Falk, Elliott, Burgdoerfer (all UFA's), that leaves you with Lajoie and Englund who are ready/could benefit from some NHL games to keep them progressing (at some point in the next season).
This seems like a huge bottle neck at the D position. In other words, The Sens have ALOT of options for their D needs internally and it would take a sweetener for them to add to the bottleneck.
Sure, you could accept the trade and bury the contract, but he'd be stealing minutes from propsects who need them to develop who might be transitioning into the AHL from the NCAA or CHL.
Heck, the Condors in Bake were healthy scratching Manning. Meaning they didn't feel he was able to play at the ahl level.
So yes, it'll take a bit more to sweeten the pot. Probably not a huge asset but I don't see the incentive for Ottawa to accept it as is.