[Sylvanfan]

My numbers are wrong, it's going to be 13 total for Brassard over the next 3 seasons, 3 of his salary they pay this year, plus 5 the next two years.

I guess they likely thought Zibanejad could have had a good case for a 2 year deal at 6 million a year, plus the arbitration factor.

Either way they likely expect to have a UFA player in 3 years time that they don't want to pay. They can afford the cap space with Brassard and the remaining dollars owed. With Zibanejad, they see the risk with the arbitration eligibility.

The Sens were actually very successful in the late 90's and early 00's operating on a low budget. The shift that's occurred now is that the young 23-28 guys who used to be cost effective in the pre-cap system, aren't necessarily the most cost effective guys now.