Quote:
Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague
If it's either now or June, it really has to be now. The value is so much higher now. Like, "1st round pick plus good prospect" higher.
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I don't know if that's necessarily true, especially when you factor in Karlsson's no trade list. There could be a very select group of teams willing to move big in on Karlsson now compared to summer. Karlsson can't sign an extension now, teams don't know what their teams will look next year and beyond, and non-playoff teams might not be in the running but could at the draft.
A team may be much less reluctant to pay big for Karlsson if he comes with an 8 year extension which will only be possible this summer.
A team that, for whatever reason, was banking on a big UFA like Tavares might be more willing to make a move on Karlsson if they miss out on their UFA target.
A team might be more willing to move their first once they lose out on the draft lottery, but right now can't in case they do get the chance at Dahlin.
And non-playoff teams might go big at the draft as they make their push, for example the Oilers (if Karlsson for whatever reason does not keep them on his no trade list). Maybe even Florida considers moving Ekblad for Karlsson once they reassess their team in the off-season and realize that they can't lose out on many more prime years of Barkov hoping that Ekblad becomes that upper elite defenseman they hoped.