Ok, so here’s my thought process.

Tampa has Hedman and McDonagh on the left side, locked in for the next 5 and 6 years respectively. Although Sergachev is younger, and possibly cheaper, you move on. Cirelli seems to be the next big thing to come out of Tampa. But can they afford to resign him without moving out a Killorn or Johnson? Seems very very unlikely. In exchange for those two, they pick up a very promising young RD, who can play under Cernak and Shattenkirk, if they’re resigned. With Foote also coming in the near future. On top of that, they get a draft pick. And a very good one at that. Who know who’s going to be available at 5, but for the sake of this let’s say it’s Drysdale/Sanderson. Just like that, your D prospect cupboard is full, and your team is still contending!!!

From Ottawa’s POV, they solidify the LD with Chabot and Sergachev, while adding a skilled C to their already young and promising group of prospects/players.

Might do an ACGM with this trade later.

Why would Ottawa give up two monster pieces here? Those players are both good and worth good value but like, the 5th overall in this stacked of a draft is worth more than Sergachev and Brannstrom is way more than Cirelli.

Brannstrom and like a 4th rounder for both maybe

Youre seriously sleeping on Cirelli

What on earth are you talking about?

IDK if he only plays on the right side, but Brannstrom shoots left. Pretty sure Sergachev has played some time on the right side as well. I don’t know if this would work, since it makes Tampa Bay considerably worse in the short term, and it also means that Melnyk needs to pony up a lot more money.

20 goals, 25 assists, +8, 45% FO (adjusted for expectation numbers)

Decent Selke numbers so I understand why you like him. A stable player, hard to find guys like him but if he asks for like 4.5+ million he can't be on the third line ever so he has to be your #2 center. he's the kinda guy that if he fits perfectly on your team, your team is going places. But he doesn't fit everywhere and his money is questionable.

I also really like Brannstrom.

Interesting idea, but Tampa is definitely locking both of these guys up.

Dirty little secret Ottawa fans are starting to realize...brannstrom isn’t that good.

if thats true then fair enough, i was not privy to that info.

It seems Cal Foote is ready, so I can see them giving him up in a trade like this where they also clear cap

I think they move some of the older guys if anything. Sergachev has been a horse and he's only going to get better. Cirelli is blossoming into one of the best young two way players in the game. They're part of the next core and there's almost no chance Tampa would give them up.

Well, it’s an opinion obviously.

"if gm's agree that Brannstrom is dropping in value" then fair enough