Trade 1st Overall to Get Gaudreau? REP Given!

[Rockies & Hockeys]

For the top team in my sig, I've just been offered Johnny Gaudreau for the first overall in next year's pick. As you can see from my team, I've aggressively given up on this season by tradeing away all my depth, to have all really high draft picks next season. All 13 picks of mine are now in the first 4 rounds.

HOWEVER, I consider Johnny Hockey to be one of the top LW's in the game, especially when you consider age. It's no small cost to give up 1st overall next year, as that's like gaining an extra keeper. At this point I'd likely have to leave Jack Hughes available to the draft since he's my weakest keeper. I hate to do that, but I've also got a mid-first rounder still, and might just take him again then.

I'll obviously have great depth next season due to all my picks, so is it worth giving up my first overall to get Johnny?

[Axeman33]

If you are guaranteed the 1st overall, Im keeping that pick and drafting Lafreniere in any keeper format.

[hockeyrobot]

I would do the deal and leave Karlsson unkept for next year.

[Rockies & Hockeys]

If you are guaranteed the 1st overall, Im keeping that pick and drafting Lafreniere in any keeper format.

Interesting option. Would you draft Lafreniere OVER keeping Hughes? I also might look at countering with my MID-1st rounder for Gaudreau, but don't know if he'd accept.

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I would do the deal and leave Karlsson unkept for next year.

Think Hughes is a better option to keep than Karlsson? I've loved having him for years, and am still a believer, haha.

[Axeman33]

Interesting option. Would you draft Lafreniere OVER keeping Hughes? I also might look at countering with my MID-1st rounder for Gaudreau, but don't know if he'd accept.

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Think Hughes is a better option to keep than Karlsson? I've love having him for years, and am still a believer, haha.

I'd certainly consider it pretty seriously. I'd offer the mid 1st and see what happens.

[Pengwin7]

For me, this is a super duper easy call.
Keep the 1st overall, draft Lafreniere.
And... Hughes is a lock keeper.
One of Karlsson or Reilly has to be moved.
You win 9F/4D leagues with elite forwards. Period.
Hughes and Lafreniere are top-end #1 picks, both will bust out in either Year 2 or Year 3.
You won't have to wait longer than that.
(These guys are NOT Yakupov or RNH or Hischier. RNH & Hischier are just fine, FWIW, I just mention them because they aren't 12x6 lock keepers: Hughes & Laf are.)

Top picks, like Lafreniere and Hughes, are ELITE keepers in limited keepers.
Why - because (as I'm sure you've learned) at mid-season, teams break as "CONTENDERS" or "REBUILDERS".
The Contenders will give away their best young player for TWO or THREE really solid veterans to make a run.
The Rebuilders are, obviously, just looking at their top six keepers + draft picks.

Next year, about mid-year you hopefully emerge as a "contender".
If Hughes is contributing - obvious keeper - if not, you can deal him for TWO or THREE really good players.
Same with Lafreniere.

Rebuilders ALWAYS want those young kids...

Also - the draft pick is essentially you adding a 7th player before anybody else.
7 keepers vs. 6 keepers... big difference.

[CraigyB]

i would try another slighly lower pick or package of picks. Gaugreau is a bit of a buy low currently

[Rockies & Hockeys]

Thanks for all these comments. Really making my think. I took Hughes first overall this year and everyone in my league thought I was crazy for drafting a rookie in the first round of a keep 6. Would I be even crazier to keep Hughes, and draft Lafreniere first overall next year too? Haha. Would be pretty cool if they don't take too long to develop. I've got so many high picks next year that maybe I can reach for one rookie and not suffer too much.

So I'm leaning away from picking up Johnny, since I'd be forced to trade away Hughes or Karlsson. Think that's the right call?

[chuckcouples]

Let's revisit this a bit...if you move 1st overall for Johnny Gaudreau, you also have to drop Jack Hughes.

Is Gaudreau worth Jack Hughes AND Alex Lafreniere?

No chance. Both of those guys will be outpointing Gaudreau in about 3 years.

[Pengwin7]

Would I be even crazier to keep Hughes, and draft Lafreniere first overall next year too?

Not crazy.
I mean... if you go back in time and swap in names like "McDavid and Matthews"... or even #2 picks like "Eichel and Laine".... and then a top 27-year old scorer at that time... say "Jamie Benn".

I mean, what's better right now:
Benn or McDavid/Matthews
Benn or Eichel/Laine
...
That's you in 3-years.
You want your team to completely pop at the same time.

And BTW - it wouldn't be crazy, IMO, to try trading Kucherov for Rasmus Dahlin.
Think about that as part of your rebuild.

[Rockies & Hockeys]

Good point. Probably easier to draft Hughes and Lafreniere and keep them before they really take off than it would be to try and trade for them once they've arrived.

Not crazy.
I mean... if you go back in time and swap in names like "McDavid and Matthews"... or even #2 picks like "Eichel and Laine".... and then a top 27-year old scorer at that time... say "Jamie Benn".

I mean, what's better right now:
Benn or McDavid/Matthews
Benn or Eichel/Laine
...
That's you in 3-years.
You want your team to completely pop at the same time.

And BTW - it wouldn't be crazy, IMO, to try trading Kucherov for Rasmus Dahlin.
Think about that as part of your rebuild.

[stevegamer]

I wouldn't trade that 1st overall for Gaudreau. As Pengwin and others said, it's essentially a free keeper for the best guy left over. I would try the mid-first, though.

I also wouldn't deal Kucherov for Dahlin, you break out forward spots.