For me, Ek is 100% a non-starter for Cirelli. Like I have said before and what was also said above, Ek is (should be) only available in a trade for a bonafide #1 center. Cirelli is a really good player, but he is not that. However, give me Cirelli and Ek as centers to build around and I’ll take my chances against anyone.

Except Tampa could care less about your "leverage" argument. They have no need to move Cirelli at all unless they want to. They have plenty of other paths to take before accepting a mediocre offer for their 2C(Killorn and Paquette moved alone frees up the space for his and Sergachev's bridges). Your argument that other gms won't help Tampa is weak, as any good GM makes trades to try and improve their team and don't think about sticking it to another team entering negotiations. If Tampa makes him available, which is very doubtful, then they will have much better offers than Donato, Khovanov and a late '21 1st. I've seen at least half a dozen offers that Tampa would take over that. If the Wild want him and aren't willing to offer Dumba(with some retention), or Ek as the primary piece, Tampa moves on to any number of better offers. Finally, Cirelli isn't interested in leaving Tampa for a much worse team and location over a little extra $, so those who counter with the approach that Tampa either takes a meh offer or lose him to OS, I say good luck with that.

Tampa can figure out their cap situation on their own. They have to move at least one guy with a full NTC to fit their RFAs, so they'll probably lose someone of value. I'm not overpaying for Cirelli because of it.