MTL accept this trade. Probably giving you another guy than Dauphin, just because he's from quebec and they just sign him to a new deal. They can give you another top ahl player, like rights to Blandisi or Lucchini. They can also add McShane or Fonstad, two player who can be re draft this year, because MB said they won't sign them.

Hayes has a M-NTC so PHI is forced to protect him in the SEA expansion. In 2 years it's doubtful that PHI uses a CBO but Hayes does have a 12-team M-NTC starting in year 4 of 7 so they might look for a trade closer to year 5 of 7 on his deal.

Can't say anything about the MTL-PHI idea since I know nothing about the MTL player.

No they're not. You only have to protect NMC, not NTC or M-NTC.

mtl accepts this in a heartbeat

Hayes isn’t being bought out. What a joke. He’s been a great addition to the team. JVR would be my buyout.

My mistake on Hayes and the NTC; however, Hayes does have a NMC for years 1-3, and a M-NTC years 4-7 so he still needs to be protected for the SEA expansion.

Well that's a bummer. You'd think they could have avoided that given how much money they offered him.