I don't think we are bad enough to get a top 3 pick. Top 10 is realistic. That's not what's worrying me.
I want us to dump some assets for another 1st or 2 2nds. We need a really good draft.
Lottery this year and going forward determines the top 3 draft picks, not just the 1st overall.
So, they draw for pick #1, then they draw for pick #2 and #3. I think they will just let the teams maintain their range of numbers and draw until a "new" team who hasn't already won a lottery position number is drawn.
So, that is why you don't want to trade your 1st rounder, unless you are a surefire playoff team. LA's pick belongs to Carolina, but they seem on their way into the playoffs. SJ belongs to Boston and they are barely in a playoff spot. NYR belongs to Arizona and they are a top team in the east.
LA managed in 2 trades to protect the pick if they missed the playoffs. That said, report indicates that the Isles want a roster player.
The history of the lottery, in its 20 years, no team that held a position after #8 has won the lottery. Chicago in 1999 and New Jersey in 2011 at #8 won the draft lottery and moved to #4.
If it's Edler and one of Shinkaruk/Gaunce/Sven/rights to Rodin go for it. Depends on what the Isles want. They don't have to trade Harmonic. He does not have a NTC or anything right now. Still in his RFA years. I'm not in favor of dealing a 1st round pick in the #7-#11 range.
And yes, the Nucks do need to move some assets at the deadline to obtain additional younger assets. That said, their UFAs to be in Vrbata and Hamhuis are not performing very well. Still have time to correct it and play we'll around game 55 when the talks heat up. Prust when he returns would also be in the conversation. And you have the 2 bottom Dmen in Bartkowski and Weber.
Then, you have the group of UFAs in 2017. Burrows, Hansen, Higgins, and Miller.
How much are these guys going to return in a trade?