This makes all the sense in the world to me for PIT.
The most important thing is to exploit the Crosby/Malkin wndow. Secondarily, it's having assets that may return decent futures whenever the window closes (or even in a single off year).
98% chance Kapanen delivers more value over the next ~4 years than the 15OA pick.
~60% chance Kapanen returns more futures than the 15OA pick if traded in the next 3-5 years.
Players drafted #12-20 from 2014-18 that have produced quickly:
14 Farabee D+2 (ie. started producing for the Flyers in his D+2 season)
12 Necas D+3
13 Suzuki D+3
20 Thomas D+2
14 McAvoy D+2
15 Kunin D+3 (really D+4 for good production)
16 Chychrun D+1
12 Gurianov D+5
14 Debrusk D+3
16 Barzal D+3
17 Connor D+3
18 Chabot D+3
20 Eriksson Ek D+3
12 Perlini D+3
13 Vrana D+4
15 Larkin D+2
17 Sanheim D+4 (really D+5)
18 Tuch D+4
19 Deangelo D+3-5
20 Schmaltz D+3-4
Of the 45 players in those slots, 14 started producing fairly well within 3 years of being drafter (31%), but only 4 of them within 2 years (9%), which is what PIT really needs.
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