Quoting: csick
Did u know Zaitsev didn’t have Ottawa on his list and still came here? Players can be persuaded
What Zaitsev had was a list of 10 teams to which you can't trade him.
Because Ottawa was at rock bottom when he was traded in 2019, Ottawa was one of those 10 teams until Zaitsev decided to waive his no-trade list.
Zaitsev did it because his former Assistant coach with the Leafs, DJ Smith, became Ottawa's head coach and Zaitsev liked playing for him.
Also, fellow team-mate Connor Brown was included in the trade to Ottawa as well.
The incentives were there for Zaitsev to come to Ottawa.
I'm not sure what incentives there are for Hertl.
Also, you're overpaying San Jose by quite a bit IMO.
Thomson + one of Greig or Tierney should be enough.