I thought I was going to see a Connor Murphy trade.

It's not worth it for Ottawa at this stage (since they don't know if they will even make it to the playoffs) to add assets to move Zaitsev's contract unless they are getting a player. I think that's why Dorion is trying to get Chychrun who's price is high and move Zaitsev in the same move. He's probably hoping to find a trade that would be the combination of a reasonable Chychrun ask + a reasonable Zaitsev dump.

I get that completely. I was coming at this from the perspective they need to sell DeBrincat on the team so he will sign long term. The only way I feel they can do that is by having a steady enough d core to help them succeed. Even if they don't make the playoffs, this would allow the team to at least be in the fight for a spot, and will hopefully get DeBrincat to stay.

I feel any deal for Chychrun won't happen until the trade deadline, and by then it may be too late for the Sens.

Stralmam playing Top Minutes?

Honestly, I think all DeBrincat needs to see is that the team can be competitive now and will be in the future, even if there are some holes. They have their core locked up for 5 years min, so there is a lot of things to look forward too if they are good. He also needs to be having fun which probably means scoring a lot of goals, so if he has a year of good or great production and good locker room interactions especially with the core members who aren't going anywhere any time soon. If those two boxes are checked off, then I think the only thing then that would be left need for him to sing would be the $ amount that they can offer if it's a fit, and if he likes living in OTT.

He's averaged over 20 mins per game every season for over a decade, including last year. He's still a decently effective shut down dman.

Sign De Haan to reunite the DeMonic d pair.

Hawks accept, could additionally ship you Murphy for more assets if that's something Ottowa wanted to explore