If we're operating under the logic of players to move up for or who I'd somewhat hesitate to deal the 20th pick and lose out on it's only Mateychuk or Yurov. I don't think Lambert has fully shown he's above the field all-around. If absolutely everything goes right, sure, but that can be said for others. Howard & Firkus enter into the equation in terms of pure offensive upside if risk is disregarded. Lambert is bigger and faster but I don't know that he maximizes it. Coaxing it out of him could be a task and I don't know if that's an overly appealing one to the point of moving up for. He could make a lot of teams look stupid if the lights go on but risk has to be factored in and it's mainly what distinguishes Mateychuk & Yurov as fits. Yurov hasn't gotten a foothold in the KHL and his passport may push him down but the two-way effort is advanced. The consistency of those two, in addition to their skill level, are what you'd ideally want complementing an aging core. In terms of players that would substantially help elevate their pace those two stand out most. They're the most energizing all-around. Mateychuk's size could be a concern but his passion and skating align with how the Caps like their D activating. Similarly with Yurov they'd be getting a player that knows how to support and has a pretty good stick. Their pure upside is maybe comparable to others in that range but the fit is strong from an underlying complementary standpoint. Others will need to make strides adjusting to the pro game. McGroarty's skating. Nazar's defense and explosiveness. Geekie's skating. Lambert's effort and off puck play. Ohgren's explosiveness. Lambert could help with zone entries and getting through neutral but off puck play isn't to the point where I'd be totally sold on his possession game and impact potential. Maybe they all figure it out but it does add varying levels of risk. That's not to say Mateychuk & Yurov are perfect but they possess more of the qualities I'd prioritize foundationally.
The 23 I posted Friday minus Bichsel & Gaucher is how I'd narrow it down as a secondary tier group. Those two are less projectable offensively, though I don't doubt some view them as more safe. They do offer defensive value but in terms of safer offensive upside that's the group. After the top 12 another nine of Mateychuk, Yurov, Nazar, Geekie, Lambert, McGroarty, Kulich, Miro & Ohgren. BIchsel will probably be gone, pushing someone else down. They're assured to have two and probably at least three from that group available. They should be able to add someone with the potential to rival or better CMM/Lapierre. With some I do wonder about the cumulative effect of smaller/softer talents going forward and whether it projects well to playoff hockey or possession generally any time soon. And with some of the skating concerns whether it makes sense on an already fairly slow team.
I like many of the nine secondary players as prospects and decent fits but clearly they have more pressing near-term needs. There's only one Ovechkin and to not aggressively improve the lineup the next couple seasons would be regrettable. There's likely no patient, long-term strategy that won't involve sucking post-Ovechkin. They shouldn't unconditionally try to avoid it, vaguely planning for a period likely to suck either way. They're not elite to the point where they project to aggressively maximize other areas, developing secondary strengths to ward off a decline. It's part of why they've struggled to break through in the playoffs most years. They haven't managed often enough to get that mix right. Banking picks in the 20's is probably not the way barring a lot of luck. They'll need cap value, of course, but they also need to be brutally honest about their goals, assets and what helps most in achieving them. Hard then not to view futures primarily as assets that should be cashed in for pieces more certain to move the dial the next few seasons, esp. in crucial areas of need.
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