Gio will get more than a conditional 2nd

Ottawa doesn't even consider, brutal offer.

Gio gets more with that retention.

Nylander on the 3rd line is criminal

It’s not really third line. It’s just spreading it out like pens did with Kessel.

I like this idea. Nylander and Jt don’t have an identity together. Maybe these lines could. Maybe the JT line won’t score as much as you would like which could be frustrating since he’s an 11 million dollar centre but for the playoffs if it’s a tough line to play against and the other 2 can score this makes a lot of sense.

exactly, I don't think him and JT work together. JT plays well off the cycle, Willy is a better rush player

I cannot possibly fathom why the Sens would even consider that deal

He's a UFA and they are not close in contract talks. They'd get a cheap NHL calibre D-man who they can keep and hope to get more out of or can flip for futures.

I get that Paul is a fan favourite but it's really not far fetched

but they just, have no reason to want Dermott whatsoever. there's no world in which he's more valuable than just, a 2nd or 3rd round pick. just dumping the contracts that you no longer want for actually good players isn't how the NHL works.

"no longer want for actually good players isn't how the NHL works" literally the Ritchie trade.

Dermott is an above average bottom pairing guy, it's possible the sens could see him thrive in a 2nd pairing role for them, and if that doesn't work they can flip him for a pick. Like I literally already said: they'd get a cheap NHL caliber D-man who they can keep and hope to get more out of or can flip for futures.

yeah the Nick Ritchie trade was to a team that is currently trying to take on bad contracts and tank, and the Leafs had to add the pick to make it happen. That's the whole point. Obviously cap dumps exist but then you need to add value along with it. They can get more "futures" just by trading Nick Paul for them straight up. This is literally just "give us your good player for our worse player". Leafs would need to add a 3rd or 4th here.