Joined: May 2022
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I think OTT wants to move Zaitsev's contract as they upgrade their defence, but they don't want to bleed assets either. Minnesota is in no position for them to take on that contract, and I think the cost to dump Zaitsev to a 3rd team would be too rich for Ottawa. They likely wait until the ask on Chychrun drops or he proves that he's worth the ask.
They probably want the team to look very good, both on the NHL level (good contracts) and in the system (good prospect pool), in terms of having a promising future since the team is up for sale.