Sergachev is worth more than Brannstrom

he sure is

Yep. And that's why we've dipped our Balcers into this deal.

I don’t think so especially given Brannstrom is still on an ELC

Even if he is, TB is going to have to be ok with slightly losing some trades to get a decent team that’s cap compliant.

Balcer doesn’t cut it and they’ll trade other players before doing a trade like this

But that’s my opinion guys, but it’s not a bad offer

You're assuming that TB will have other offers. They have one serious cap problem there, and there will be a few big names leaving town to help accommodate it. I'm think that TB would do this deal, but OTT will need to take on another major contract (Tyler Johnson?) to get it done. Wouldn't be the worst thing for OTT to grab those two, although they need to make sure they can afford Tkachuk next year too.

I really wanted some extra points for saying "DIP OUR BALCERS into the trade" but I guess no one cares how clever I am... FINE...

So they need to clear cap and they won’t trade Sergachev for an ELC guy with big potential? That’s what they should be trying to do

We have a ton of contracts expiring after this upcoming yewr too

Meh...only Tkachuk is significant. You'll lose that boat anchor Gudbranson's $4 million/year deal after this season, and that should be good enough to sign a few of your younger players.

It’s a fair trade, TB fans might not see it, but Balcers is ready for top6 minutes, Brannstrom is different than Sergachev, but is still very good.

The problem I see is that Ottawa will have Sanderson in a year, maybe sooner if players decide to leave UND. Have any opinion you want, some people are just going to refuse to play with that kid, if only because of perception. Arizona has already buckled (argue good or bad elsewhere) and others may follow suit, ie UND teammates.

Ottawa’s top4 left side is set.

Thats the problem. James Mirtle on theathletic, he did the math and basically every team can't take on more salary besides maybe a half dozen (over 3 million or more of salary) and thats with the salary paid out by last year's team financials. It's much more grim today!

The budgets are even tighter. Maybe 3-4 teams can sign Sergachev without dumping salary.

Devon Toews went for two 2nds.

Schmidt went for a 3rd rounder.

You don't have to justify this trade. It gives enough.

TB is pinched!!

Brisebois is treading on delusional territory. He has to take a loss somewhere. Not sure what he's waiting for. His leverage simply went down with more teams tight to the cap. It was a mistake not to move Killorn from the get go. Now he may have to give away one of Killorn, Sergachev, Cernak or Cirelli along with a salary dump in TJ

If they can move Stamkos or have him retires, it solves all the problems

If wishes were horses eh

Ottawa would take him if he waives. Tampa can have a couple of 2nds and a couple of B prospects

Its such a complicated trade to make and Stamkos wouldn't want to go to a heavily taxed place after signing below market value at the time. I don't see any reality where Stamkos gets dealt. Vegas and Dallas were options but they don't have the cap space. Players with wives and children even less so want to move especially to a colder climate.

Maybe Nashville with Tennesse's low state taxes and decent team. Great place to live. Weather is decent. I don't know how Stammer would leave under any circumstances when he gets to drive his boat to the arena in Tampa!

What I heard is if a player keeps Florida as his primary home he can keep getting taxed there. Dadonov is doing that

There's a ton of things you can do with the right accountant but it's still an inconvenience. You can play in Canada and dump your money in retirement savings to avoid taxation.