IMO if that trade is coming in before the Hoffman and Hamonic signings Ottawa might take it (because it would seemingly be a high pick) but a first likely isn't enough to move that deal with current cap situation

It could go to any team that could find value in Ericsson’s contract. Teams that don’t want to pay real money left on the term. Ericsson’s cap hit is 2 x 6 but really is only owed 5 million in real money over the next two years.

I’ve always been very against Canucks trading away their picks because they’ve moved so many out in the past. However I feel this off-season with the opportunity of the UFA’s still available makes it worth it.
If it was just to get rid of his contract, I wouldn’t want to move the first, but it’s the players you can bring back in with that money that makes it appealing.

moving louies contract will NOT include a first.Jim B has stated this several times.It is bad cap management.We paid a first for jt miller do you think we would trade jt miller to get rid of louies contract.We can just bury louie in the minors.Also we have to resist signing any more big ticket players so we can pay petey and quinn next year.

We won’t assign Louie to minors as his contract doesn’t save nearly enough against the cap. Ownership already is tightening budgets and sending Louie down to minors would end up costing them more actual money as he doesn’t have to pay into escrow if he’s in the minors. It makes no financial sense to have him down there.

To answer your question on Miller. We payed a premium for Miller to a cap strapped team. Great player. Arguably poor negotiating.
As I said. Not only are you getting rid of 2 seasons of Louie for the first. You're also getting the opportunity to sign good players at far below market cost.
I mentioned you sign them to one year deals so they can play in prominent roles and boost their stock for next off season. You improve your team this season and give your self major flexibility in next off season, when as you said.. you need the money to pay EP n QH.
I know Benning said he wouldn’t move a first to get rid of a contract. But that was before free agency started and these new opportunities presented them selves. It’s his job to adapt.