I think this team could actually put pressure on the wild card spot in the West, but they're not quite there yet. Probably looking at like a #12/13 pick next year.

This team could be contenders by the new barn or new city, 3/5 years out. A ton depends on Cooley, and continued building of the blueline, but a big strong tough team to play against in the works.

How do you feel about the pick trades?

I didn’t deep dive too far into it, if they are building a big strong tough to play against squad and they got who they wanted at 6/12, I’m all for it. They went off the board large, but if they go off that large, I’m sure there is competition for those picks to mess with who they wanted, detroits pick at 9, was mocked all the way from 7 to out of the first round, so lots of differing opinions on the different values outside of the top 3. I’m kind of glad they dodged michkov, I thought they may run to podium at 6 for him, then bounce back at 12 for a dman. I believe in your theory, but sometimes you just have to go get who you want especially with the abundance of picks going forward.

Overall outcome of pick trades

Add:
Leonard
Gulyayev
Chesley
40 OVR

Minus:
Simashev

laying it out like this really highlights the missed opportunity

Leonard alone is easily a better pick than Simashev, then you add all the rest. I give ARI's draft like a C- but these moves would have made it like an A-? Could be even better if they picked Musty or even Perreault at #19. I'm not optimistic of But.

You are absolutely correct. CHI wanted Moore all along and probably would have given up a nice package for that 12th overall pick.

So I thought about the same thing after the 1st 15 picks... Why didn't Arizona entertain a trade down with the Caps?? Only 2 spots, they still would've had their guy and added a pick or whatever. The only thing I can come up with is the Caps weren't obsessed with Michkov and had Leonard higher. They're were reports Michkov wouldn't get past Philly so they def knew he'd be gone at 7. I think it comes down to that.

However I don't agree Simashev is a bad pick or that Leonard is better (or realistically, will be better). I think we will be looking back seeing a defensive anchor Arizona got like a Seider, just good at everything. Incredible skating and hockey sense but at 6'4. That's a dream really. We just hate they used the 6th pick for him haha. If they went Leonard 6, then Simashev 12 the general all knowing public would be happier lol.

Obviously knowing what we know now, it is easier to say this.

But as a Caps fan who is very pleased with their selections, I would rather have Chesley, Leonard, and Christall (at 40oa) then just Michov.

That being said - if that package was presented to me (as a Caps fan) before the draft, I would have heavily considered it...

Still confused as to why ARI didn't trade down two spots...