Id rather use that ~55OA to draft a player.

Dont use draft capital to dump bad cap if youre not even going to use the cap space.

Ottawa is a better team when Zaitsev does not play. Ottawa also operates on an internal cap and they are not in a financial position to bury $4M in the minors. If it costs a second round pick to rid themselves of Zaitsev and gives them the ability to acquire an impact player via trade or free agency it needs to happen.

Yes but he also holds a modified no trade clause and that probably includes Seattle.