Yeah, I don't think a 2025 1st has the same value. I would bet 32 GMs would keep their 2024 15th OV pick vs trading for the 2025 15th OV pick. My preference would just be to use it in whichever draft it ends up being in and adding another 1st round talent to the organization.
I think the only realistic scenarios I would support trading the pick is:
1. Move up into the top 4 in this draft. Say like 6th OV + 12th OV for 4th OV. I would gladly take Misa or Martone and sacrifice a middling 2025 1st rounder.
2. Move it for a young player, specifically a center, who an org is down on but we feel has more potential. For example, Rossi or Pinto. It likely means send back additional assets but I'd be willing to have the discussion.
To be fair, they did get DOC as well and they plan on extending him. While I think that DOC isn't anything special, we saw that he was highly coveted by a couple of teams. If they extend him, it means they got two roster players for the pick in a weak draft. Trying to be objective, it IS relatively difficult to find decent players for cheap who are big, fast, and can forecheck. If DOC was a 20g scorer, he'd be Kreider.
I think this move is very reminiscent of the Kapanen trade but in reverse. If you remember, there were several teams after Kapanen but everyone was offering their 2nd and Toronto was holding out. Finally, JR coughed up the 1st to get his guy. The entire difference was that ,JR was willing to step up and pay more. Yeah we also got Fernstrom as well, but I think that's merely a throw-in. A third round pick but tough to say if he even had 3rd round value.
We all agreed that Pettersson's value was that of a 2nd + prospect. I firmly believed that adding DOC made the package worth a 1st. So with others after DOC as well, JR (or rather Allvin) stepped up and offered the 1st and got their guys. Overall, I think the price tag was right in line with expectations. The x-factor here being where that pick lands. I mean, the hockey gods could take out Panarin and Shesterkin and the Rags could win the draft lottery in 2026.