Just trying to help out

I don't understand the logic from Columbus with this trade.

The value with PLD is greater than Max Pacioretty for a couple of reasons.

First, PLD is a center, of which MTL desperately needs. Not only is he a center, he is a young center with a ton of upside. His projected talent isn't a commodity that a team can just get from the trading market or the free agency pool. Columbus knows that Montreal needs that "franchise-type" center, a player that they can build around for years to come. Max Pacioretty is the type of player that can be bought. Take a look at the impending free agents. Evander Kane, James Neal, Michael Grabner, etc. are players that can be brought to Columbus that have near production to Pacioretty that doesn't require them giving up PLD.

Second, Columbus doesn't have any incentive to move PLD. Montreal has an incentive to move Pacioretty. This requires that Montreal would need to pay a premium in order to pry PLD from Columbus, a premium that is going to be too steep for Montreal to front.

Indeed, Pacioretty has the credit of being a sniper. Thats fair and a fine assessment. What needs to be taken into consideration is that fact that players that produce similar results to him are not a scarcity. A player with the upside as PLD is a scarcity, and should cost as such.

Overall, I don't think the value matches up at all for Columbus. They are trading for the now when they can stay disciplined and wait for their players to mature and then make a stronger cup push.

I also do not agree with your draft pick assessment. As some might know, I am a strong advocate for moving down in drafts and maximizing draft value, but this doesn't make the cut for me.

A top-4 pick is bound to get one of Rasmus Dahlin, Filip Zadina, Andrei Svechnikov, Adam Boqvist, or Brady Tkachuck. Essentially what the deal is saying is that picks No. 54 and No. 60 equal the difference in value between No. 18-22 and No. 4. That simply doesn't not add up to make any sense. If you want to move up to No. 4, your going to a.) have to pay a premium to move up and b.) offer picks that have value.

A top-4 pick usually fares well in the NHL. I cannot say the same for two late seconds and a late first in relation. If you want to move up to No.4, your most likely going to need to include your 2018 1st and those two second round picks, depending on who is available to be selected.