[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I think the cost for getting a top five pick will be more expensive than many people think... Especially in a draft with this much high-end talent.

Only for very stupid and short-sighted general managers. The hype that has been built up each of the last few years is just ridiculous. Yes, McDavid and Eichel are special players, but after that it is still a crapshoot. Remember when Nail Yakupov was the next Alex Ovechkin? Hype, hype, hype, with little substance. It never ceases to amaze me how people get over-excited coming into the draft and are willing to give away assets for a handful of magic beans.

Have to remember there will be more than one team interested in moving up in the draft... That will drive up the price. The flames have the benefit of having cap space and owners willing to spend to the cap. However, there are other teams that could do that too.

There are more teams unable to, whether it be because of the league cap or their internal cap. Then you have to consider who would be willing to give up added assets to make the move. Not many are willing to eat over $27M and give up other assets to get that deal done.

Imagine if buffalo decided they really want to have two picks in the top five in order to make that horrible season worth it? They could offer to take on the ward and semin contracts in exchange for the islander's first round pick plus some of their young prospects on defence.

Buffalo is a really poorly run franchise, but there is no way they are going eat that much money and dip into their prospect pool of defensemen to acquire another first round pick. They have been patient to watch those young defensemen develop and turn into NHL caliber players. When those guys are finally ready to step in and contribute, you don't trade them away for a player that may or may not play for another two or three years. Even as badly managed as the Sabres are, they wouldn't make that move.

Edmonton could make a similar offer with pittsburgh's pick plus some of their young players... Heck, they could offer yakupov straight up for that pick and that deal might get done.

Yeah, Yakupov is getting you nothing in the first round. You want to talk about a player that epitomizes the hype surrounding the draft and the patience you have to show with these kids, Nail Yakupov is that guy. There was so much hype around this kid - a player with incredible flaws in his game - that the Oilers had to take him. Now they are stuck with a kid that shows very few signs of ever achieving the levels expected, but are too scared to move him and have that promised achieved elsewhere. Seriously, would you give up the 15th pick for Yakupov? Would you even give up one of our 2nds? I sure wouldn't. That kid is damaged goods.

These are just examples of course... These teams may have no appetite for moving these picks/players. But it shows that other teams could offer more than a 2nd round pick to eat salary... The flames would have to do the same. I may be way off on the cost of eating salary though cause we have yet to see a deal of this kind in the league.

Well, in your mind there are teams that would do it. I think that since we have not seen any teams willing to consummate a deal like this, even for as little as $6M in contract dollars, that it is unlikely we ever see a deal like the one suggested. Until one happens I will confidently say that one where a top pick is moved with two big ticket players is a wet dream. And then consider one where a team that eats two big salaries also gives up multiple assets to get it done, well that doesn't seem even in the realm of possibilities. But then again I full expect this to be posted next.