Is that trade legit? Who in the athletic posted?

He's trolling

Since Ottawa gave Ceci a qualifying offer the leafs have to give Ceci 105 percent of last years salary, so approx 4.5M. If they go to artibration then it could be even higher but then the leafs would lose him for nothing if they decline.

Leafs probably want a Dman who they plan on keeping, so a minimum wage guy. I can see the Sens wanting Timashov since his contract is below minimum wage.

???

Did you not look on the website?

I think the Leafs will go to arbitration and agree that he's amazing and ask for a high enough AAV so they can make him a UFA.

Then they can offer him a one-year deal with top minutes (beside Rielly or Muzzin) to bump his value for a long-term contract next year.

If Ceci isn't down with any of this - or if some team actually wants to pay him $4-6 million long term - then the Leafs will probably just flip him there right away.

(If a team is willing to pay him that much - than they'll probably be fine with sending Toronto a small trade return).

I did. There’s nothing on there about Zaitsev trade. Only thing I’ve seen is on Twitter from Dregger and McKenzie. McKenzie said at least 6 pieces involved and named brown zaitsev and Ceci but not the other parts. Got a link?