Managing Problems

NYR have said they wouldn't do this or retain more than the 1.3M that the buyout would cost for 21' and 22'. It seems to be they will swap for a last year contract (Stepan) or just pay with a pick/picks to move the money for someone else to buy out

4 years of Zaitsev vs 2 years of DeAngelo? No thanks.

My understanding was that NYR wasn't willing to take back a bigger cap hit in a trade. This would actually give them a little more space for the next two seasons which gives them time to figure out what to do with Zaitsev. In the meantime Zaitsev can take some minutes away from Jack Johnson so it's a win-win IMO

Bigger meaning longer as well. We need the $ for the next few years to resign RFAs and maybe a C if they move Strome. their goal is to free up the 3.7M for this year to add to the team but I don't think they want another Smith type of player. So pay the 3rd to OTT to be bought out, then go acquire a solid LD for top 4 minutes or something along those lines. That's what they have in mind.

If that's the only plan NYR is willing to do then Ottawa is out. You could offer them a 1st and they wouldn't take on salary