I am not after any of the bottom teams like Detroit, Ottawa etc. Clearly the ask there would be astronomical, as it should be.
I'm more intrigued in teams who are currently in playoff position/likely to qualify - but who could still fall out too. With a quick glance at the standings, such teams might include Philly, Toronto, Carolina, Vegas, Vancouver, etc.
Would any such teams be buyers come TDL, and be willing to part with a 1st round pick, non-lotto protected, for reinforcements?
The 2 biggest trading chips I believe we have realistically are Petry and Tatar. Kovalchuk can likely go too, but obviously he won't return a 1st, unless he continues at a ridiculous pace between now and TDL.
I don't want Montreal to tank - but with the draft in Montreal and Lafreniere looking so good - i'd love to increase our odds at winning the lottery by adding a couple first round picks, with the off chance they could win the lotto too.
Also - I'm not exactly sure of the value of Tatar/Petry. I feel like both players should each return a 1st round pick and likely more - but maybe i'm slightly off in valuation. Either way - an add can be made to make a deal more attractive on either side - i'm more intrigued about if such teams would be willing to part with their first round picks (no lotto protection) this year or not.
Thoughts?
A unprotected 1st for that? No one on Montreal is worth an unprotected first not even close. They’ll have another mid first round pick like usual