Ottawa and Toronto in Cahoots

Ottawa and Toronto are working together? What?

Two Ontario teams in rebuilds. The blue team since 1967, the Sens for just the last few years. I heard once about a trade between the pair years ago, and the Ottawa Senators owner said something along the lines of him not trading to a team down Highway 417 again. Both of these Canadian teams are not only in the Eastern Conference, but the Atlantic Division.
Usually teams won't trade unless they're getting something they want or need, and as both teams compete on a nightly basis within a division... even if both get good from a deal, their still helping a team they're in contention with.

Toronto traded away their captain, Dion Phaneuf (the first Leafs captain to be traded away since Doug Gilmour was traded to the New Jersey Devils in 1997), and a bunch of no names (Matt Frattin, Ryan Rupert, and Casey Bailey) in this nine player deal; although the name Casey Bailey does ring a bell for some reason, and a defensive prospect in Cody Donaghey.
Ottawa surrendering Jared Cowen, Milan Michalek, Colin Greening, Tobias Lindberg, and a 2nd round draft pick in 2017.

Some seem to see this as a push for Ottawa to make the playoffs; they're 4 points out of a Wild Card spot. And Toronto? Well, they're tied for last in the East with Columbus, and have games in hand.

Given that Jared Cowen hasn't done a ton this season, and Lindberg isn't a household name, I still see 4 players and a prospect being traded for 5 ex-blue team members (bags of pucks). To me, Michalek will be the largest loss to the Sens this season. Phaneuf better have been worth it.