Quoting: MoxNix
Zaitsev has negative value, Dvorak isn't worth a lot but he is worth something.
Montreal gets out of the contract, 1 year earlier. There is value there, for a cap strapped team.
Montreal was the only team willing to give up a 1st for Dvorak, that was a year ago. Trade values for any player with term have cratered, because GMs are ultra conservative right now. Connor Brown went for a future Washington 2nd (so basically equivalent to a 3rd in this draft). He didn't have term bogging down his trade value.
Whether Ottawa throws in a 2nd, or a 3rd, or a B prospect, whatever. Doesn't make a big difference. It's the base of the trade that is the point. Do both players have negative value? Yes or no. If yes, does Montreal value nearly 5 million in cap in 24-25 enough to downgrade to Zaitsev for this year and next? Given that Zaitsev is a sunk cost, is Ottawa willing to take on the liability of nearly 5 million in cap/salary (if still a budget team) in 24-25 simply to get a 3C now?
Another option for Ottawa to acquire a top 9 forward, if he is still available, might be Kerfoot. His base salary is only 750k, which means Ottawa can acquire him without having to move Zaitsev to clear out cash.