Interesting idea. I would go for a free agent instead of trading for Bouchard. Maybe sign Mayfield. As Panger has always said, “once you lose a big defenseman, you’ll be looking for a big defenseman.” Once the Blues lose Parayko, they need to replace him. And I think Mayfied brings a similar game that would help fit the Blues mold. I’d do that instead and keep Kapanen, Perunovich, and more importantly that 1st round pick. Lines would then be:

Cat - Thomas - Kyrou
Saad - Schenn - Vrana
Neighbours - Buch - Kapanen
Blais - Brown/Alexandrov - Toropchenko
Perunovich - Faulk
Krug - Mayfield
Leddy - Tucker/Bortuzzo
Binnington
Hofer

sens definitely can't invest all that cap space into Parayko

The Sens already made their big move on defense at the trade deadline. They're going to run some combination of Sanderson/Zub/Chabot/Chychrun for at least the next two years. Don't see how they could justify allocating any more money to the blue line.

Evan Bouchard is clearly top-4 material, fully developed by now, and right-handed, to boot. I doubt Edmonton would even begin to entertain any ask about him without your 2023 first (after the lottery, of course).

Can't see Edmonton even slightly being interested in that. Bouchard is too valuable to them

uhhh no
this kinda screws the blues