That'd be tempting if CBJ is out of playoff race at the deadline...trading Panarin would pretty much mean throwing in the towel.

Yup, such a $hit position for them to be in at this point. Weak-ish division, and they know that he's testing the market this summer. Gotta think that they'll try to bulk up and pray that they can make a little run in the playoffs.

On the flip side though, there's some solid names that are also going to be UFA's this summer, and the Jackets should have some cap space to play with, so losing Panarin for nothing may not hurt as much as it seems.

Quite true. And if that team gets lucky, they might even get Hughes with that pick...which might add the number of interested players to get to Columbus...

For sure. I just don't see Colorado giving up that pick. The opportunity to have a whole bunch of cheap, cost controlled years of one of Hughes or Kakko is pretty valuable. They'd probably give up their own and a slightly better prospect though?

Doubt Panarin would move then though...

The pick is really nice but the prospect probably won't turn out. Cam Morrison is in his 3rd year at ND. If he returns for his 4th year he probably goes UFA like a lot of players before him. Players figured out returning to school for one more year can be better for their own pocketbook and more control over their situation. He probably makes more money returning next year and playing the field. So you are basically looking at panarin one for one on the pick

I think that's a real gamble on Colorado's part. There are a whole lot of teams on the bottom right now. There are 8 teams down there with a 2 point difference. Given it's a lottery but they could very easily end up with low odds at those picks. It's no sure deal they will get one. Although Ottawa does have one of the hardest SOS left. But the other teams aren't really that much further behind them. It's only 1-2% off for most of them.

For sure. And I know that this was a hypothetical "What if" scenario, but if I'm Colorado, I'm prepared to take that gamble, because when you watch a team run sieves like Mike Condon out there every night for the next 40 odd games, you've gotta think that they're going to continue to plummet. I'm also prepared to move my own first round pick, along with a prospect, to grab a slightly lower(than Panarin) tier player. Maybe the Avs old buddy Pierre Dorion will look to move Stone as they get closer to realizing that he's probably not going to re-sign with them?

Stone has said he wants to stay in Ottawa, I think they get that done. As the trade deadline gets closer, if CBJ decides to deal Loaf, not saying they will but if they decide to, he will probably be the biggest prize out there.
No doubt that pick is a lot for a rental if they can't convince him to stay. It all depends how close the team thinks it is to actually winning a cup and if he's that difference.
Personally I wouldn't do it either because I don't think they can resign him and a rental isn't worth a top 10 pick unless you know you are stacked and going to the cup. Like if a team like Toronto got him I would say OK, they are taking their shot. But I don't think Colorado has the pieces to finish in the finals this year.