Quoting: sensibleguy
The Sens don’t want to dump Watson, they like him, and they aren’t paying to move Del Zotto. They aren’t spending picks to acquire expiring contracts, and they aren’t spending picks to acquire players they will need to move again to recoup their picks. They don’t need Lauzon with Sanderson arriving soon. There just isn’t any reason for this trade.
Edit: if they want the players, sign them in the offseason, except Lauzon who isn’t needed.
I admit the use of the word "dump" in this case wasn't very fair. Watson isn't overpaid and is a fine 4th line forward.
That being said, it's pretty significant upgrades here, in terms of value and/or playing ability :
Järnkrok, Calle > Watson, Austin
Lauzon, Jérémy >> Del Zotto, Michael
Johansson, Marcus > Gambrell, Dylan
2022 2nd round pick (TBL) > 2022 4th round pick (CGY)
2022 3rd round pick (VAN) > 2023 4th round pick (COL)
All it costs is downgrading a (very late) 2nd to a 4th and a 3rd to a 4th
Like someone else mentioned, you could also recoup picks for these players at the deadline (you'd obtain more value than these picks downgrades), they are all cheap and not signed into next season. Lauzon is RFA
I would trade Johansson for any pick at the deadline, re-sign Järnkrok 2-3 years to improve my bottom-6 and eventually use Lauzon as an asset in a trade to make an upgrade somewhere
Dorion is not an asset manager though, I am so I have this mentality