I don't think Ottawas got the leverage to win any trades right now, the whole league knows the need cap space for Pinto.

If you need a value contract coming back the other way, Ottawas the one breaking open the piggy bank to pay for it.

Ottawa isn't going to move Batherson, he is part of the core on an amazing contract. He is lethal offensively and his defensive game will come back with better linemates. Still young and having Norris back in the middle rather than a rookie, and a winger who cares defensively rather than Debrincat last year will help that line actually compete and not be in their own end all game.

No you just don't trade a guy like Batherson who has 4 years left at 4.975 AAV

He needs Norris. Actually a Greig-Norris-Batherson line would be a great 2-way and really good offensively. Greig and Norris are probably the Sens best defensive forwards (with Joseph and Giroux)

Doing this instead of simply moving UFA-to-be Kubalik would be... I don't even know which word to use.


Can you explain what you said, not sure if I read correctly

Are you saying that Batherson is some kind of dump if Tolvanen is coming back in the trade?

Not if Tolvanen is coming back, but in general. Ottawa has no leverage to be asking for first in trades on top of potential plug in replacements for the more expensive player they're sending out. It's not that Batherson isn't potentially worth that return, but any team dealing with Ottawa on the trade market right now has the upper hand.

Ok I see but that's not how reality works though

There's no collusion against one team, teams are motivated by their own benefit/needs. If Batherson was on the market, teams would compete to acquire him and the highest bid would win.

To be sure to understand this, replace "Batherson" by any player you have an high opinion of. Who would that be on the Sens for example?

That is how reality works dude. There's not a lot of teams who can afford to take Bath's cap hit, that drives down demand. Compound that with the knowledge that Ottawa would only part with Bath to gain cap space to sign Pinto and make moves elsewhere, that takes away negotiating leverage from Ottawa. Market rate and what someone's willing to pay do not align.

Ok so if Zegras was available, the current market would drive down his price?

A market obeys to simple laws : supply and demand. Some teams would bury their moms in the AHL if a player like Batherson or Zegras was available. And Ottawa would certainly take some salary back to facilitate a trade.

The other reality point is teams are looking to serve their OWN INTERESTS, not to collude against another team...

Moot point anyway, Batherson is not for trade.