I doubt a team is dealing a first rounder for UFA signing rights...unless they have a deal worked out with Gretzky's agent beforehand. I think this could be why a compensation system like the MLB's could be interesting, so a team doesn't lose a high caliber FA like Tavares or Panarin for nothing when they hit FA.

Otphj and future consideration

88 or 89 Gretzky or post 93 Gretzky

Prime

So would be after 89, and oilers had to make a deal in 88 to ensure value back, with Gretzky thinking of testing market. Ya that era no salary cap, I would burn a first for a lot of teams that had any sort of shot to sign him

In this time what would he cost if he were a pending ufa right now in his prime

Probably push the 12.5 of mcdavid, probably less than 15 somewhere

To trade for his ufa rights