if OTT can do this, its a win for them, 1 year deals for demers and stas, tradable at deadline if JBD and Pinto break through

Yeah I think that's the most realistic option. Get a short term option who can push Zaitsev below 20 min (and to play with Mete who I thought he looked good with this year), and a solid 2nd line C. I don't think they will end up going big label with a flashy C addition, but will look for someone solid with a proven track record.

Demers only got 17 a game on a mediocre D core the 3.5M$ seems like a huge bid I don't quite see where that becomes necessary

Just pulled a number out of my ass

I’m the same year as JBD at North Dakota and have been watching him since his freshman year. He’s been the teams best player his freshman and sophomore year and then this year Pinto upped his game and took the next step and those two were our best players and it wasn’t close. They dominate at the college level and make other first round picks look silly. You guys got two special players coming who are going to make a long and important impact at the pro level.