Why would the Pens consider this deal?

It clearly makes them weaker for a Cup run this year and going forward. Dadonov is better than Brassard, but he's only under control for one extra year. ZAR and Maatta have a ton of extra control, and the loss of Maatta would be a big blow to the defense, one that isn't replaceable in house.

I am not high on ZAR at all and i am not crazy about Maata's game, he is slow and weak along the boards. I am a real big fan of Dandonov so perhaps it is a slight overpayment. Plus we also have cap space to add defensive depth.

I dont think that FLA do this deal

i probably would keep Dandonov if i was FL as well.

I think you are way undervaluing Maatta and ZAR.

Maatta is going to be a 24 year old quality 2nd pair defenseman signed reasonably for the next 4 years. He's got good possession numbers and contributes a fair amount offensively as well. Pens don't have the defensive depth to replace him and financially they don't have the money to bring in someone of his caliber as after this deal they only have just over $2M in cap space. They'd have to give up extra assets to trade for someone and will probably need to increase their offer in hopes to get some sort of salary retention.

As for ZAR, he too will be 24, but he's signed for less than $1M this year and should be cheaply under control for another 3 years after that. I don't expect him to rack up 40-60 points, given he's likely not going to see a lot of top 6 work and won't play a lot on the Power Play, but he has some offensive skill and can give the bottom 6 a solid threat when he's in. The other issue is he's likely to be one of the 4 top forwards for the PK this year. With Rowney and Kuhnackle gone, there is definitely an opportunity there and he's likely to fill it.

That is a lot to give up to go from Brassard's production and ability to play center, to Dandonov's better production and one extra season. I just fail to see how that makes the Pens better contenders this year.