Yeah, EDM can't afford to give up any of their decent players, and don't have any cap space to send back only picks and prospects. They might do (just brainstorming, here)Pulju, a 2nd, and Russel/Sekera, as the cap numbers sort of work out. I do think that Zucker is a good player, and MIGHT be an answer for the forward depth that EDM so desperately needs. Not having to give up Klefbom, Bouchard, or Nurse would be key for them.
At this point, MN would be giving up on the season, and hoping that Pulju can be turned into something useful in the long run.
I don't think either team will be crazy about the trade, but realistically, what do they expect? Personally, I would hate to trade our fastest player (Zucker) and have him explode in EDM just like Nino has down in CAR. As good as Aho is, Draisaitl and McDavid are better.
There is something very Raskian about Puljujarvi.