I'll be really deflated if we start next season with Zaitsev still on the team, let alone the top pair. I know you've been a Zaitsev defender in the past, but I don't know how you can watch how that D plays without him vs with him and still think he is a worthwhile part of the team. A buyout would be well worth the price of doing business.

Brannstrom is showing himself capable of playing both in the top 4 and on the right side. To me, Brannstrom Zub is more than adequate in the top 4 right side next year. Holden can play well on the 2nd pair if Sandy isn't ready for it right away, and you let JBD and Thomson fight it out from now til opening night for the last spot, assuming one isn't traded.

I agree completely about bringing back Gaudette, Gambrell and Bishop. All quality depth pieces. Could see it being one or the other between Bishop and Gambrell, but personally I've liked both. Might just be too crowded with a bit of AHL graduation.

I'm also a big supporter of giving Colin White one more year. He's got a lot more to give than we've seen the last two seasons. Consistently one of Ottawa's best forwards, he's just not had the production to match his otherwise good play.

Buyouts don't happen as often as people think they should. Both Loui Eriksson and Andrew Ladd continue to play on those terrible contracts. It's a matter of getting the most for each dollar for teams at the cap ceiling, or a rebuilding team eating the contracts. Ottawa just isn't there since they are not at the ceiling or rebuilding anymore. Then you have to take into account how much the teams loves Zaitsev. Look at Ceci, he's just so bad that's he's still kicking around in a top4 position Maybe he has a value the average fan just doesn't see.. This isn't like Phaneuf who was obviously out matched on the first pair. Zaitsev can skate, he's still just 30, and he is still more consistent than the young guys. The consistency is where it matters. I know Zaitsev will eventually be replaced by JBD, Thomson, Brannstrom, or Sanderson, it's a matter of when. We agree on the event, just not the timing of it. That signing bonus due Zaitsev may push him out this TDL, and I'd be happy with that, but it just feels less important than it did when they traded for Zaitsev. I said in July 2019, Zaitsev was gone TDL 2022. I may still be correct, but there;s no rush. JBD and Thomson are okay with some more time in the AHL. They'll be full time some day, we can all see that.

A lot of my opinions are based on what it seemes the team will do, not what I want.