COL rejects the LA trade. DeMelo gets at least 3M

Yeah don't see Pietrangelo willing to take a 2 year deal, And DeMelo gets far more probably in the 4x3.5m range.

The Blues aren't trading the rights to Pietrangelo for a third. Certainly not to a division rival.

Very little incentive for Pietrangelo to take a $24m contract when he can get $64m. The extra $40m security is much better than the higher AAV.

i'm pretty sure right now colorado is the top odds to win the cup next year, this is trading away 7 pieces from that team. i don't see them doing this.

Ottawa could use Compher, but so could Colorado. Is this strictly to acquire a 2nd round pick, or are these salary dumps to pay for Pietrangelo?

I'd take the deal, which would solidify Ottawa's middle6 RW, between C.Brown and Compher. Ottawa can make room for Cole by starting either Brannstrom or Zub in the AHL, they are both waivers exempt.

Honestly I don't think they're going to move a lot. But IMO they need to improve in very specific positions: 1 top six winger (Palmieri will be perfect there, at RW on the 2nd line) 1 bottom 6 winger (Jesper Fast) a Goalie and Defense. And with that scenario in mind, here are the guys who can leave right now IMO: Cole, EJ, Donskoi, Grubauer, Zadorov and Jost.

I think you're a little off on the goalie sitch, quick has been getting worse each year so this doesn't help that situation at all. We do need that top 6 winger and palmeri would be a nice fit with kadri and another right shot up front.
I think petro is a pipe dream, we could fit him in around 9 mil but we would need to move multiple pieces to make it happen and i don't know if it's worth it right now.
I'd scrap the LA trade and use zads and jost to get the top 6 winger we need.

I think it's a win-win in the sense that OTT gets 2 decent players who will help them right now and the're adding $$$ to reach the minimum cap. On the COL side, they cut dollars to use them elsewhere and also can draft a good player with the CBJ 2nd round pick or even trade it if necessary.

I get the Ottawa side, I just wasn't entirely sure about the Colorado side, and defer to the Colorado fans on if it's a good idea. If Colorado likes it, Ottawa should like it as well. Compher is exactly the type of player Ottawa has been targeting.