Two prospects with quite underwhelming years, a cap dump that's likely going to cost you a first to dump, and a 2nd for Chychrun?

Yeah this offer gets beaten. ARI declines.

You beat me to it. If the Sens are serious about trying to get Chychrun, it starts with one of Pinto or Grieg and also includes a decent roster player. But the bigger question is why would Ottawa do this? They already have Chabot and Sanderson at LHD, and while Chychrun CAN play the RHD, he's much better on the left side. Flawed as he is, Zaitsev is still a pretty decent RHD, so trading him to get Chychrun to play on his weaker side makes no sense to me.

Agree with others, pretty weak offer.

Does make me shake my head when OTT is paying 5mil in buyouts/etc... to 5 guys no longer playing for them.

Pinto or Greig would have to be part of the offer, but if Im OTT I probably still do it. Chyrchrun is a solid, young top pairing guy (and underpaid for 3 more yrs).

One of the main reasons for the Zaitsev hate is how much he's overplayed and overpaid. If he wasn't pegged as 'Elite' by our staff and wasn't paid as much as he is, he'd be a serviceable 5-6 RHD on a deep team that can hide him down the lineup. Problem is D.J. loves his guys and Zaitsev is one of them. The hope, with the start of the new seasons, is that JBD or Thomson have strong camps, and the need for Chychrun or Zaitsev diminishes.

I also agree. It's a tough sell when you're also dumping a contract on them. My reasoning: Arizona needs to hit the floor. That being said, Chychrun won't go for pennies.

I don't see why Zaitsev would cost a 1st to dump when other dumps have been less expensive than that. His bonus has been paid too so he's only owed 7 M$ for 2 years. 3.5 x 2 years is not a huge dump. He can still play in a reduced role. Let's say Zaitsev and the 2nd cancel each others

We also expect Ostapchuk to have a pretty big year and become a high level prospect. He started the season real slow but took off after the Giants traded Sourdif and then he had a HUGE coming out party in playoffs.

Boucher was not a pick we liked but they're also not going to sell low on him

I would do this but 1st + Ostapchuk + Boucher is not that bad of a return

That 1st is particularly valuable as Ottawa is not guaranteed to make the playoffs and the 2023 class is quite good.

But agreed some other team should be able to beat it



Pierre Dorion was not qualified to be a GM

This offseason cap dumps have been exceptionally expensive. If Nemeth who is almost twice cheaper than Zaitsev with very cheap buyout cost 2nd+3rd to dump, I think Zaitsev will cost a first.

I'd be surprised if Boucher ever plays a single NHL game. That was the biggest mis-pick at 10th overall slot in probably last 10 years or so.

Nemeth being a decent comparison but there is no "almost twice cheaper", both have 2 seasons left. Nemeth owed 6 M$ while Zaitsev is owed 7 M$. It's not cap teams who are taking these dumps so real money matters

I have hated the Boucher pick since the beginning but I'm not going to bet against the Sens scouting department, they have proven us wrong countless times. Boucher has tools but the kid needs to start putting them together

He's not going to be traded now either way unless someone gives up substantial value for him, which would be stupid.

It's no question that the cap matters too, although granted it's probably not as much as the actual salary. Total money between the two is fairly similar but Zaitsev has signing bonuses which are hard to muster for a small market team like Arizona. I'm convinced dumping him will cost a first, or two seconds and a third.

Boucher is not sensible guy to add into trades as his value is such a big ??? right now.

If that's the price then don't be surprised if the Sens just keep Zaitsev around, at least one more season

And as much as I disliked Boucher's pick, I would be even more upset if they trade him not at lowest value