to me, if the sens are going to keep an 8 million dollar centre I would rather norris over couture

I think if you are bringing in veteran leadership to speak to this team it needs to be someone who has played at a high level, I do not think I would want either contract with injuries and age but I thought this might be a solution for both

Without being disrespectful or speculative;

I would guess Coutures probability of even playing another 82 games in the NHL are around 40-50%…

If you’re acquiring him for potentially 8m in LTIR cap space and mentoring sure, but he is really battling a tough injury - I would be happy if he can enjoy life outside hockey. If playing risks that; I’d rather him retire than play more games.

However I don’t see a solution for Ottawa here and I think San Jose would rather keep Ferraro + a 2nd (potentially 33rd OA) > Chabot. They invested in Thrun and Shakir; I think Grier is happy with developing both, with Cagoni needing a clear NHL path too. They need more RD not more LD.

I’m worried about Norris’ shoulder and think he needs to more time to evaluate in Ottawa.

I wouldnt be opposed to bringing in couture if he was retained so the sens could maintain a bit of cap flexibility, but the sharks have all their retention slots used up next season so it wouldnt be possible. He is also 35 years old and is coming off a season-ending injury himself, so im not sure the injury risk is necessarily lower than norris. If we need a 3C with leadership (which I do think we need), I think there would be cheaper and more cost effective options

I cant see Chychrun coming to Nashville as part of a return for Saros.

He wants to be somewhere competitive.
Nashville trades saros and instantly throws their competitiveness into uncertainty.
Beyond that, he wont be the guy for years with Josi around. Not on 5v5, nor on the PP. He just isnt going to be the go to guy.

Prioritizing "veteranosity" is a pretty surefire way to ruin a rebuild.

Not only that, but with Molendyk in the wings to come up right after Josi, he would have to fight with a younger and more in his prime Molendyk. Chychrun would always be a number 2, and that's not bad, but not in a deal for Saros.

OTT is not trading 2 under 27 for a 35 YO....Chabot and Norris both have massive more value than couture

overpay for saros ott declines

I think the Sharks would consider it.

Drop the 2nd and the Sharks would take it for sure.

Couture may never play again. How about Norris?