What about Boqvist for Kubalik? Change of scenery deal for both sides. Columbus may want a late pick, but at the trade deadline when cap opens up a bit, they may project that they have a higher chance of getting a late pick for than they would for Boqvist because Kubalik will be a pending UFA.
He's played his way off of the Blue Jackets, and I can't imagine there is any trade market for him right now because of his contract.
If we assume Brannstrom is out long-term and may not be qualified, he's basically a cost-controlled Brannstrom replacement this year and next year. If he is really terrible, the Senators could buy him out at almost no cap consequence.
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]SEASON[/TD]
[TD]INITIAL BASE SALARY[/TD]
[TD]INITIAL CAP HIT[/TD]
[TD]SIGNING BONUS[/TD]
[TD]BUYOUT COST[/TD]
[TD]POST-BUYOUT EARNINGS[/TD]
[TD]SAVINGS[/TD]
[TD]CAP HIT (
CBJ)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2024-25[/TD]
[TD]$3,200,000[/TD]
[TD]$2,600,000[/TD]
[TD]$0[/TD]
[TD]$533,334[/TD]
[TD]$533,334[/TD]
[TD]$2,666,666[/TD]
[TD]
-$66,666[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2025-26[/TD]
[TD]$0[/TD]
[TD]$0[/TD]
[TD]$0[/TD]
[TD]$533,334[/TD]
[TD]$533,334[/TD]
[TD]-$533,334[/TD]
[TD]
$533,334[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TOTAL[/TD]
[TD]$3,200,000[/TD]
[TD]$2,600,000[/TD]
[TD]$0[/TD]
[TD]$1,066,667[/TD]
[TD]$1,066,667[/TD]
[TD]$2,133,333[/TD]
[TD]
$466,668[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]