I don't recall seeing anything about him requesting a trade but there was something recently (I forget where) that said Ottawa doesn't want him around anymore because of the ownership situation and payroll/cap situation for next season (and his declining play). He was waived in early November due to poor play but also could have been in part a hope that maybe some other team would claim him and get him off the books, so maybe back then there was some talk of a trade request.
They need to make decisions on DeBrincat's contract and goaltending for next season and I haven't gotten the impression they are planning to spend to the cap, so getting his 4.5 mil cap hit off the payroll and freeing up a roster spot for a younger play may be a priority worth spending an asset for. They could also buy out his last year so I doubt they would give up a ton unless getting something back that could be marketed to their fans as a positive.
Last night on HNIC Friedman has this to say about it:
"There appears to be a path for a Nikita Zaitsev trade," Friedman said. "I'm assuming West Coast, I don't know that for certain, but I've heard some rumblings about it. But there does seem to be a path for Zaitsev to move."
The wording of that statement implies it would be a cap dump move, and that they are actively pursuing it.