Great move by the Flames. Thought that to get a 2nd, Flames would have to retain.
With that being said, great trade for the caps too. Yeastmode is criminally underrated. He produces well 5 on 5. He is more physical than you expect for his size, and he doesn't get scared of anyone. Goes to the dirty areas, and is reliable in all zones. He just isn't a PP guy for some strange reason.
Focus on what he does 5 on 5, and you will love him. Unless he gets hurt, Washington can't lose this deal anyway, as he is likely to garner this value at the trade deadline if not more. This is a contract year, and i bet he produces, especially with a change of scenery.
Washington wins this trade because they get a pretty good goal scorer at even strength, who can also produce on a checking line. If he bombs for some strange reason, they can still probably flip him for another 2nd. I would bet he does well, and if Washington is out, they may get a higher return at the deadline.
Calgary wins because they get even more cap flexibility to sign some UFAs at the deadline for higher value/low term, and flip a guy with retention at the deadline. Maybe they act as intermediaries, or accept a couple of bad deals with sweeteners. There will be lots of options. The last thing I think they will do is blow their brains out signing UFA at big dollar deals with term.
Calgary is in a rebuild, but they are not interested in burning it down and tanking. Conroy wants to keep it somewhat competitive, which I infer it to be a bunch of 4-3 losses, not 10-2 demoralizing spankings. Calgary will be players in the UFA market with an eye to not being terrible, as well as weaponizing their cap space.
I think both teams win here. Good job.