You know what reeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaally gets them engaged? Playoff success. Just ask Vegas.
Vegas didn't go out and trade picks+prospects unprotected in the off season.
They waited until later in the season when it was evident that they had a chance to win a cup.
When was the last time a team that traded an unprotected 1st, let alone a team that finished near the bottom almost every year prior? It is very uncommon and usually only happens out of necessity because a contender already traded their 1st, like when San Jose moved the double unprotected 1st to Ottawa for Karlsson because they already moved their upcoming 1st (protected) for Evander Kane.
It's like making a thread saying Value Of: Bedard or any other type of asset that you can easily verify is incredibly unlikely to be traded. There is no universe Chicago trades Bedard, and there is no universe where bottom dwelling teams needlessly trade unprotected 1st rounders 1 year out when protection is common and they are loaded with other high value assets that they could use to get roster players. It makes no sense.