That doesnt get you Trouba I dont think.

I dont fully understand the Ottawa trade. Like i know Melynk is a cheap skate and prefers paying players who play as little as possible, but assuming Gaborik is insured, the salary on that contract is actually lower than the cap hit, so its a perfect Melynk contract, it counts more against the cap floor than he has to pay in salary. Not sure he just trades it 1-1 for Smith, since Vesey gets you the 3rd.

Tampa seems less likely to part with a 2020 1st than a 2019 first but thats my wild guess.

Figured the kulikov cap dump is the reason for the dip from the 1st rounder.. pionk could also be subbed if it's the shatty holdup-- i think shatty is the better NHL player and at under 4m it's a reasonable cap hit for the next two years for a potential 40+ point defenseman.

Ottawa deal is moreover for a buyout-- figure Vesey is a good consolation prize, a late 3rd isn't much of an ask for him (he could probably net a early 3rd if not a late 2nd (like 58th-62nd) considering he's a solid 3rd line option. So taking gaborik may save melnyk money in the long run