Quoting: Campabee
Dach has more value than Laf same with the Cats pick it has more value than the Rags pick. Montreal obviously very easily passes.
You Beat me to it.
That top 10 FLA pick In My Eyes has more value alone then LAF given how stacked this draft is and the fact Michkov is likely to fall into the 7th-10th position due to his 2026 contract in KHL.
That's still a projected top 3 pick even if you have to wait an extra 3 years before you have the option to play him is well worth it.
MTL isnt afraid to Draft Russians in that Position as we took Romanov in the same position and it ultimately lead to Kirby Dach a 3rd OA pick , a win no matter which way you slice it.
If i was giving up that top 10 pick it would likely be for Pierre Luc Dubois's final year of his RFA's rights putting us in the same Position as COL was with Lehkonen help keeping his new contract to a reasonable one with Lehkonen leaving money on the table to stay in COL. MTL could use that pick in hopes PLD would do the same but ultimately as long as he re-signs would be a clear win worthy of trading that pick unlike any deal for LAF
LAF i'd trade for but it would be conditioned to the extreme like FLA's pick was with Chiarot and Tkachuk .
I'd give up 2024's 1st round pick , even Give up Josh Roy who i know will be a better player then LAF but not a better Goal Scorer.
But a mid-late 1st rounder and a top prospect is the best i'd do on LAF as he like Armia just shows no improvement after going in the Top half of the 1st round as Power Forward Goal Scorers.
LAF doesnt have the vision to balance playmaking and shooting . He's a very 1 directional person who can thrive as a top Goal Scorer in the right situations but can never be relied upon to Lead his Line.
I think of him like 6 time Stanley Cup Winner and member of NYR 1994 roster Glenn Anderson was to Messier ,Gretzky even Kurri.
No Shame in it, The NHL needs all type of Role Players even Elite One's and it works as long as they put the team/teammates first as he did (and LAF does )
LAF could be a future HOF'er too but like Anderson he has to do so being a Beta not an Alpha