Edited Aug. 1, 2023 at 3:27 p.m.
Quoting: sensonfire
1. Zaitsev's cap hit is 4.5 million
Joseph's cap hit is 2.95 million
2. Zaitsev has a 10 team no-trade list
Joseph has no trade protection whatsoever
3. Zaitsev's contract is riddled with signing bonuses and is harder to buy out.
Joseph's contract has no signing bonuses and is easier to buy out.
4. Zaitsev is not a serviceable NHL player.
Joseph is.
5. It should cost less to trade Joseph than it did for Zaitsev, not more.
And you're way too high on Katchouk.
I know what their cap hits and buyouts are. I know that Zaitsev isn't a serviceable NHL player, and that Joseph is. I don't think any no-trade clauses apply to Zaitsev - no one will take him in trade except for what accompanies him in any deal (as the Hawks did).
And if kept to end of their contracts, Joseph will cost the Hawks 38% more in actual dollars than Zaitsev has/will.
Here's what I think you aren't grasping... NEITHER Zaitsev's nor Joseph's value as a player matters to the Hawks; they'll both be long gone by the time the Hawks are relevant again. It's what comes with those players in trade to help the rebuild that matters. It's obvious to me that Joseph can play essential roles. Frankly, I think it's too bad that OTT is now so constructed that he appears on the outs. He IS a useful player. But his value in a deal with the Hawks is what accompanies him. If you want to get value for what he provides, then trade him to a team that needs what he offers. For the Hawks - for all the reasons pertinent to a rebuilding team - it should cost more to take on Joseph's contract, not less.
Last, I admit I don't know what Katchouk will do this year; you don't, either. You might be right. But I don't think there's any harm to the Hawks to find out and reap the benefits IN TRADE to a contender at the TDL if he blossoms, rather than losing him now as a throw-in to this deal.
Cheers