Ottawa most definitely is not trading their 2023 1st round pick to receive that in return, let alone adding a 2nd! They aren't THAT desperate to be rid of Zaitsev's contract.

LOL I love when the poll creator is the only one voting yes on a proposal

This is abysmal

Do you realize that OTT can buy Zaitsev out for 2.8M next year?

If the Senators were going to attach a 1st and 2nd to Zaitsev, he would have been gone in the summer. Especially since his signing bonus was paid, so he was only owed 2.5M in real cash this season.

The play for the Senators if they have owners who are willing to spend big money to construct a roster is to pay Zaitsev's bonus on July 1st, and then trade him. 1 year at 2.5M against a 4.5M cap hit will be attractive to a budget team like Arizona if it comes with a solid asset because it will allow them to spend less real cash to hit the cap floor. The asset will still be substantial, but won't be a 1st+2nd.

I suspect the reason Dorion is trying to trade Zaitsev now is that he needs to clear money to add a rental this season, and he also needs cost certainty to make any further extensions or additions where players are signed beyond this season. While it makes no sense on paper for the Senators to acquire a rental, they clearly have a mandate to remain as competitive as possible. This is almost certainly linked to the current sale, and making the market appear as engaged as possible in the product. The last thing they want is crowds of 9000 again.

If Josh Norris is insured, maybe his season ending injury changes things and the Senators do not need to clear the Zaitsev money right away because they will get back a portion of the Norris salary which can fund a rental.

Ottawa won't be trading their 2023 1st for that.