Can't depict it here but Ottawa signs DeBrincat to a 4-year, 36m contract ($9M avg) and trades him, Artemi Zub, and a 2024 1st-round pick to SJS for EK65. Then, Ottawa uses the remaining cap space to sign replacement winger Vladamir Tarasenko ($6M avg) to a multi-year deal. SJS trades Lebanc to Arizona for a 4th round draft pick to clear the cap space they would need to hold DeBrincat.

I know this isn't the most realistic trade because OTT already acquired Chychrun but in a world where the Sharks get DeBrincat in the deal I think that's something the Sharks would do. We all know the Karlsson family actually likes Ottawa and he could certainly compete for a cup there for the next 4 years.

Arizona won't take Labanc, because he makes 6M in real cash. Any team would want a good asset to take him.

San Jose won't retain half. They won't want Debrincat, he doesn't fit their time line. Debrincat won't sign there.

Send Debrincat to DET or NYi for 1st++, send those assets to San Jose with Zub. San Jose can flip Zub down the road for at least two 2nds.

With that said, I think if Karlsson comes back, it has to be Chabot out, not Zub. Chabot and Karlsson play similar roles. It also makes it close to cap in/cap out with what San Jose is willing to retain.

There would also need to be a third team because Chabot won't want to play for another rebuilding team after wasting his entire prime on one so far. He doesn't have full trade protections but teams generally don't like to acquire star players with term who will be a disruption.

It is difficult to put a value to Chabot because of how up and down values are due to the salary cap, but I would suspect he garners a similar or better return than Karlsson will. From that standpoint, I could see Chabot 1 for 1 for Karlsson with retention that brings him into the 8.XXM range, and then San Jose flips Chabot.

Of course, Ottawa would not trade Chabot in real life, but just spit balling what would make sense if they were intent on moving Karlsson.