Which 1st Rounder to Forfeit?

[lang006]

I actually think the punishment is well-deserved. Lying on a trade call is insane, even if the NHL should have better processes in place.

Oh I agree it’s well deserved. I just think that for some organizations the punishment would be less severe like a fine or something.

 

[aragorn]

If this team underperforms next year, we can be upset at their performance and the lost lottery pick. Woo!

Or, if they overperform and go on a run, they won't have a 1st in a better draft to upgrade at the deadline. Double win! /s

They have a 2nd for the 2026 draft along with three 3rd rd picks that they might be able to do something with should they have a player in mind relatively ranked they want to target. If they lose their 1st in 2026 they still have 4 more picks in the next two rds to do something with.

 

[Blotto71]

Staois is holding onto the pick this year. He will make an offer (they can't refuse) to Vegas with the 2026 1st round pick—only for the league to step in and shut it down, just to shove it to Vegas for complaining.

 

[Xspyrit]

It’s a no brainer to forfeit 2025.

We pick 21st
No guarantees we make playoffs next year and aren’t involved in lottery
2026 is projected to be stronger


Way way too much risk not forfeiting this years pick. Staois would be thinking short term and it could blow up in his face

Or just badly placed pride... An injury to Stutzle or Sanderson and we're in trouble. This team has one of the most glaring lack of depth in the league among playoffs hopeful teams and very little cap space to maneuver.

There is very LITTLE to gain and so much to lose. Mark my words, if they end up forfeiting a Top-15 pick in 2026, this will come back and haunt them for years and years to come. Everyone knows (or should) that we can't afford to waste a single asset with how much Dorion has dilapidated through the years. Even 7th rounds are costly to us.

Comparing 21st in 2025 to 2026's draft, it's basically ECF or bust next season.

Very stupid decision IMO.

 

[Cosmix]

Or just badly placed pride... An injury to Stutzle or Sanderson and we're in trouble. This team has one of the most glaring lack of depth in the league among playoffs hopeful teams and very little cap space to maneuver.

There is very LITTLE to gain and so much to lose. Mark my words, if they end up forfeiting a Top-15 pick in 2026, this will come back and haunt them for years and years to come

Comparing 21st in 2025 to 2026's draft, it's basically ECF or bust next season.

Very stupid decision IMO.

Just wait until you see what the Senators get for that 2025 #21 pick! It will be amazing!

 

[Stutzlaaaa]

It'seems that Staois will keeping and the pick and hoping league will not veto next year oick which is Dorionesque.21st this year is same quality as 2nd rounder. Next year draft is better even if we pick at same position. This year pick is not close to help as a 2026 pick.

The only way it will be smart to keep this pick is if he has already a deal set in the making for a really good player that will improve the team anything else is huge L going foward.

 

[Ice-Tray]

We could always wait and see how it plays out before slinging shit….. but where’s the fun in that!

 

[Cosmix]

We could always wait and see how it plays out before slinging shit….. but where’s the fun in that!

That's what we do! Stop being so damn critical!