According to the guys on NHL radio, Phaneuf would be going back Toronto's direction. Unlike Marleau, the Leafs could buy out Phaneuf's contract and Ottawa would have to eat 25% of the buyout cap hit.

lmao for real? Toronto should do it just to spite OTT

Something tells me cap space isn't going to be an issue for Ottawa anytime soon.

Why would Marleau waive for LA though?

Todd McLellan was the coach of the Sharks when Marleau played there and Pierre LeBurn heard he would be willing to waive for LA

Poor Marleau, guess he's never getting a cup

He wouldn't have gotten one in Toronto either

To answer the question posed by your title, I would think that we would ask for Zaitsev. That way, our defensive top 4 would include Forbort on the left and Doughty and Zaitsev on the right and their experience would be measured in years, not months. This would work particularly well if Bowen Byram slips to #5 this month. The third pair would be Phaneuf and LaDue. Of course, I have no idea what we would send them because I can't imagine overcoming Phaneuf's NTC.

I dont think they could afford to take on zaitsevs contract