When are you imagining that MIN trade taking places? If it's at the start of the 23-24 season it would really depend on how that trio has been playing... it's entirely possible that it would COST Ottawa picks to move them. Too hard to call at this time.

I'd like to think that at $8.5M we'd get Tkachuk to sign for 8 years but I'm sure the hold up has more to do with bonuses than amount.

Very little chance Mete and Brannstrom are both SENS by this time. And, with all the young talent we have the return for Connon Brown and Nick Paul when they trade deadline rentals MIGHT BE too tempting for Ottawa to pass up. Can't see Ottawa giving Connon Brown 4 years as he'll be 29 when this extension comes up. Again - just too many young guys that can take that spot. I see Formenton or Boucher or Greig being more than ready to take his role by then.

I was also wondering "why Minnesota?" and why do they return positive assets? But at the same time very possible. Murray and White could easily prove their worth and even Zaitsev is not too overpaid, he would return a positive asset with retention

Brannstrom and Mete will most likely be traded by then. With Chabot and Sanderson on LD, there won't be enough opportunity for them, without mentionning Tyler Kleven

Connon Brown and Nick Paul are 2 files that will be interesting to follow. Yes we could trade them for good returns but at the same time, are we going to continue recycling veterans for picks/prospects? Nick Paul turns 27 y/o at the end of this season (March 20th) and Connor Brown 29 y/o at the end of next season. Even if the Sens keep them, that won't prevent guys like Formenton, Greig and Boucher to make the team, but the more prospects make it, obviously some choices will have to be made at some point. I think it's safe to say that Tierney and Watson won't be there long term.

At some point, you can't just be a talent developer for other teams. If you are, what's the point to have a NHL team? Senators won't ever make money from operating income (until at least an arena downtown)

Min trades were just to clear those three players cap off the roster, I actually didn't put much thought into the return or team, just a way to get rid of their cap hit I guess. I agree, Mete or Brann will most likely be traded by then, depending on Kleven and Lassi's developments next couple years, although I prefer we keep Brannstrom for his higher potential, he can already do a decent job running PP, we don't have many offensively minded D-men. I'd rather keep C. Brown for at least a few more years, he'll be a vet with good experience, we'll be lacking that with that roster. Bottom pairing defence remains to be seen, but the rest of the lineup is what I'd like to see in a couple years. I think it's a realistic way to get our current core under the cap, we should start contending the year after, and Boucher could end up replacing C.Brown down the line.