Connor Brown to be included in the Zaitsev-Ceci trade

UPDATE:

We have confirmation that at least part of this trade package is going to be Connor Brown:

The OTT-TOR trade that will send Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Brown to the Sens for Cody Ceci should be consummated tomorrow morning once TOR pays Zaitsev’s $3M signing bonus. At least six pieces (players or picks) included but the primaries are Zaitsev, Brown and Ceci. https://t.co/Rwx0hoF8fs

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2019

As per Cap Friendly, the timing matters:

It is notable that if Zaitsev is traded prior to July 1, the receiving team has the option to nullify his modified-NTC.

Waiting until his bonus is paid on July 1 prevents that opportunity, and the M-NTC will remain on his contract until it expires.https://t.co/efyAA67K5g https://t.co/SRVsdyUj9F

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 29, 2019

Even so, obviously the Senators cared more about the cash savings than the future trade options.

As soon as the signing bonus is paid tomorrow, the Leafs are free to complete this deal, whatever the deal actually is besides Brown and Zaitsev.