Bonus points for the most realistic/reasonable Girard trade I've seen on CF. I think the Avs would want someone who could make the jump now, but Greig would be a nice pick up. I'd also want the 2nd to be 2023.

Girard isn't the piece Ottawa's looking for, especially at that price.

Girard is not going to get that and Ottawa would never make that trade.

Out of curiosity, what is it that Ottawa needs? There are a lot of forwards listed at two positions and I'm not sure which one they play primarily.

They mainly need a defensman (mainly defensive or two-way) who plays on the right side since that is the area where they lack of at the NHL level

I was just looking through your prospects and it looks like you've got some promising guys in the pipeline: Bernard-Docker and Thomson. Are they not ready yet?

They are promising, but they are a year away imo from being full time NHLers, hence why Ottawa is trying to get defenders that do not have much term (hence why Marino was not a target for ottawa) while trying to keep JBD and Thomson

They need someone to bring more stability to the top 4, ideally with a bit of size and ideally a right shot. They need someone to play with Thomas Chabot. Zub is perfectly capable of that, but it makes too much sense right now to have Zub guiding Jake Sanderson through his rookie season.

Overall, I don't think they need that much. They need to get rid of Zaitsev still, because they will have a hard time moving forward with him on the roster. Beyond that, they might need a 3LW, as it kind of feels like Formenton will be a piece to get Ottawa that top 4 Dman. They have guys coming through internally who will fill out the lineup in the next couple years if not right away.

Here's how I see Ottawa's lineup shaking out this year.

DeBrincat-Stützle-Giroux
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
XXXXXX-Pinto-Joseph
Kelly-Kastelic-Watson
Gambrell

Chabot-??????
Sanderson-Zub
Holden-Brannstrom/Thomson
Hamonic


The 3LW thing isn't even a huge concern because Ottawa could definitely just keep Formenton, and if not there's a very good shot Ridly Greig is just ready for that role.

Marino went for Ty Smith and a 3rd so I wouldnt hold your breath for a return like the one listed or the one that you're asking for either. Ottawa definitely wouldnt bite on this either way.

Marino's a good defenseman, but I don't think he and Girard are on the same level. Possession metrics are night and day between the two. As for Ottawa not biting, that's fine, but that's the price in my mind. Whereas Pittsburgh had to move a defenseman, the Avs have no need to deal Girard and could look to deal Compher to clear space instead.

maybe you change the 2nd to a 3rd but i think I'm on point, ottawa cannot go into a season they want to compete for a cup with holden, hamonic and zaitzev. they need experience and skill. I live in ottawa but not a fan, they cn have JBD coming up but not very experianced, sanderson will be amazing but no experiance, zub and chabot are solid. Branstrom is better defensively now but inconsistent. I think girand is ideal. and better than what they have in the pipe except sanderson who has a higher ceiling but if you are looking for a stop gap in ottawa then all the power to you.


I would love to see montreal trade riley kidney or other prospect, florida 1st,2nd for girard but we dont have the room on the books unless we can trade a defenseman and price is ltir