I think I would prefer just to make the picks instead of trading them for 19-23 years olds. The concern I have with the strategy of trading the picks is that it is usually for reclamation projects or young players projected to be depth players rather than impact players. I know you could just as likely end up with depth players with your 2nd round picks or late first round picks but I hope the scouting staff are taking “big swings” with those picks that could end up as top six forwards or offensive defencemen.
Someone mentioned Montreal as an example… they traded the 31st overall pick + 37th overall pick to Colorado for Alex Newhook. I like Newhook as a player but he still projects to be what he already is… a speedy 3rd line player. Those picks were used to draft Mikhail Gulyayev (Ottawa’s 1st/2nd best prospect) and Ethan Gauthier (the 2nd round pick was traded to Tampa and he is likely their top prospect now). I would rather have those two prospects in the system than Alex Newhook IMO. In fact, I would rather have Gulyayev alone than Alex Newhook.
These kind of moves also remind me of the Lazar trade. I know hindsight is 20/20 but I just would prefer the flames use 3rd round picks, 2nd round picks and late first round picks on high ceiling-type players rather than trade the picks for players that are likely to be 3rd/4th line players. The flames should be in no rush to get 3rd or 4th line players… instead, invest now in prospects that might need 3-4 years to develop but have a better chance to be impact players in the league at that point. Because that’s when the team will need them.
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