Gotta be Askarov for me... even without yet knowing his future team.
I still (firmly) believe that the Cats are an owner (Viola) planned effort to LOSE a lot of money.
Then the Cats can pull out of their lease on the Florida arena in 2023 and sell for $600m+, probably to Quebec City.
I swear... it's gonna happen, Viola knows it, Bettman knows it, QC knows it.
And that's all part of signing Bobrovsky for $10m per which is mostly front loaded at $12m per thru 2023, then $10m, $6.5m (becomes discount for next franchise).
Anyways, it roadblocks Knight in FLA.
Barkov is UFA in 2022.
Huberdeau is UFA in 2023.
By the time Knight takes the net, the team could look thin.
FLA is going to get big money for a hockey team whether they have the players or not.
So I imagine Viola won't commit to signing bonus money for those guys - which is key in UFA signings.
Florida's ability to put out a good value/$ team is already somewhat crippled by overpayments to Ekblad and Matheson... and the East is emerging.
The team is going to have to re-rebuild in 2023. Pengwin7 bookmark.
For me, even without knowing the team - and with a year back in development, I still take Askarov.
He should go between 6-10th overall... which could be NJ (6), BUF (7), MON (8), CHI (9), or ARI (10).
NJ and BUF (who has UPL) and MON all have bright futures. CHI should be a shitshow for next 3-5 years. ARI has all kinds of potential.
They'll be ready to pop in 3-4 years when Askarov emerges as Samsonov, Sorokin, and Shesterkin have.