Getting Zub Some Russians

Ottawa doesn't have the "mid-to-late 1st" that we've been asking for for Gavrikov in the event we can't resign him (that 1st is, ah, considerably higher ), so the only likely available route is an equivalent-value prospect at a position and/or with a skillset we need. Which would make it difficult to come up with an agreement. Personally I think it works for the Jackets if Grieg is offered straight up, but that could easily be seen as a Bad Idea.

Despite Ottawa's off season, their 2nd is somehow tracking to be pretty close to a late 1st in value (Thanks DJ). Ottawa Definitely has the assets to bridge that gap, but certainly not Greig imo.

What would CBJ be looking for in terms of prospects?

top-3 protected 23 1st for orlov from Ottawa, or 24 1st unprotected and B+ prospect (anything but a LD tbh). I think even if they decide to sell, they would prefer to keep Orlov and re-sign him -- its going to take a lot for him to be moved.

Two-way "reliability" centers - that part of the pipeline basically consists of Voronkov and that's kind of it (unless one still counts Sillinger as a prospect). Thus why I mentioned Grieg. We're full to busting on wingers on either side (some of which are also transition guys like Gaudreau and KJ), we've got plenty of prospect blueliners developing, and we've got a few very nice nuclear-boom-or-bust folks mixed in (*cough*cough*dumais*cough*). But we're a bit short on Quality Worker Bee and/or physical space-defining centers. (Hence also why we've had some interest in Horvat, despite the timing of acquiring him being potentially awkward and the extension price possibly being out of reach.)

We're also possibly a tad short on goaltending prospects behind Tarasov, but I can't imagine a goaltending prospect being considered an adequate substitute.

Zach Ostapchuk fits into that mold. 19, 6'3 205. Big two way C with good skating and pretty soft hands. Had pretty pedestrian offensive production in the regular season last year, but he more than made up for it by being a double point a game player in the playoffs. Off to a rocking start this year. Doesn't have the top 6 upside that Greig has, but he's got a better NHL frame. I think he will be that kind stereotypical 3C. Size, faceoffs, PK1, some PP2. Play against top lines.