Quoting: NDoody
Why would you trade out Zaitev and Mete for two Older Slower D that cost more?
You actually made the team worse, plus they are both UFA's
No need for those moves besides moving out J Brown, Those spots will be taken up by JDB and Sanderson next year.
Zaitsev and Manson are the same age. Manson has equal speed to Zaistev, with a far more stable and reliable defensive aspect to his game. Zaitsev is a hard worker but his cap hit justifies the 2nd to get rid of it versus buying out with a possible stagnant cap ceiling. I don't care what Dman they get back, they could take a minor league guy and let MDZ fill that temporary hole until Sanderson is here.
If it was Stralman sure he's slower and older than Mete but with limited minutes (10-13 min a game like mete is getting) he would be more consistent than J Brown or Mete are defensively. Chabot, Zub and Brannstrom run the back end offense, Mete, J Brown and Zaitsev don't. Mete and Zaitsev cannot defend thus rendering them weak in all aspects of a dman and thus expendable.
Correct Stralman is a placeholder, Manson however would not be. I mentioned at the top extending Manson one year to be Sanderson's D partner for next season. Far more advantageous than Zaitsev. JBD if his development keeps up, will slot in as a 3rd pairing guy next year with Brannstrom (likely traded) or Holden as a stablizing veteran insulating his minutes.
I really don't see how this makes the team worse? Manson is better than MDZ, Mete, Zaitsev, and J Brown and Stralman walks at year end providing veteran knowledge. Saves over paying a UFA this summer, taking valuable minutes away from an upcoming defenceman (Sandy, Thomson, JBD, Kleven, Guenette) next season, or losing significant young talent in another trade. Low risk moves that make them more competitive this year and prepare the young d core for next step, next year when Ottawa really competes for a playoff spot.