We will take Mantha for the 2nd with no retention but not trading Comtois for a 3rd

We don't have a roster spot for Comtois if we take Mantha.

Sens should just keep Brannstrom

it would be really hard to convince me that Comtois is worth more than a 3rd.

i agree. Just saw a post here and there where they trade him for a 2nd + a little something extra

The Sens have the best blueline depth they've had since like 2006, and some Sens fans don't know how to handle it. An entire generation of Sens fans who think you HAVE to have bad players on the bottom pair

I’m opposed to trading Comtois away until he gets proper use out of a real NHL HC

Not arguing that, I think the deal is fine without the retention, merely pointing out to my colleague @GeneralLandro that if we take Mantha, we do not have a regular roster spot for Comtois, unless we offload someone else.

Silfvy for Mantha

Taking Silf back the other way is going to be a non starter for what washington needs to do, so are you talking about buying Silf out?

I think he could be our 13th forward or even dealt 50% somewhere needing a defensive forward

I think this could be interesting off the top of my head

Comtois Zegras Mantha
Vatrano McTavish Bedard
Henrique Strome Terry
McGinn Lundeström Jones

For starters, I wouldn't put Mantha and Zegras together. Mantha is also a playmaker, I would want him with Strome. I still don't think Bedard gets a full NHL season if we get him, Verbeek is going to be very cautious with him. Getting him hurt by rushing him to the show would be catastrophic, I think he gets the same treatment that McTavish got. I would see

Henrique-Zegras-Terry
Mantha-McTavish-Strome
Vatrano-Lundestrom-Jones
McGinn-Gawdin-Silfverberg

if the 24 first was protected then i would go for it but pass on the other two

Dumping Mantha for a 2nd is definitely something I could get on board with. I'm not too keen on trading a 3rd for Comtois, though.

I think Brannstrom's worth a little bit more.

Cates sure has had a good season, but again, it's one good season so far. He's 23. He hasn't shown this level of promise before this season. Trading an unprotected 1st isn't great for us. Also, while sure, Chesley's point totals are underwhelming, he's a pure defensive defenseman. He hasn't had the best season, but going into last year's draft, he was considered the best defensive defenseman in the draft. I saw people putting him as high as in the 10-15 range. I think he's worth more than people are anticipating here.

I don't think the value is bad at all but I honestly just doubt the Flyers would take this. Cates seems like he could be a long term Couturier replacement. (Not necessarily contending for selke trophies every year, but more in a sense of just straight up being a shutdown center)

That said thinking about a pair of York-Chesley down the line does intrigue me a ton lol