Personally, I'd prefer to keep DeMelo as Chabot's partner over Zaitsev as their numbers were quite good together on a really bad team. We already have a bit of a log jam with forwards like Batherson, L. Brown, Norris, Chlapik etc fighting for some middle and bottom 6 spots and Virtanen would just take away from them.
As a hockey trade though, I'd say it's fair value, though I'm still not sure Ottawa would take on another forward or that Vancouver should take on another defencemen as like Ottawa at forward, you already seem to have your defence sorted. Good trade though!
I don’t watch many Ottawa games (they are brutal right now) and Vancouver it is rarer. Looking at the both these players, it seem unlikely either player would immediately impact their new club.
As I a high draft pick, Virtanen seems to have stalled a bit in his development. The upside is he is young, and could be part of the Senators rebuild, but with risk. Demelo, posted respectable numbers on a bad defensive club. I suspect Ottawa will continue its rebuild, and move their unrestricted free agents at the training deadline.
It is really perception here. Does DeMelo has a future with the Senators? Will Ottawa offer him a fair contract.? This would apply to Vancouver as well. For this trade to work, the Canucks need DeMelo signed.
I have to agree with the consensus here, that the trade doesn’t seem to benefit either club.