Sure that's definitely possible. That's why I'm not saying that this is a slam dunk home run move. But the opposite is possible too. Like I said, people trade back and pick up extra picks all the time. Why is trading a protected first this year for an unprotected pick next year plus a third in any way like trading our top prospects for second rounders? That sounds like something this team (and other teams) do on a regular basis, only with a chance of moving up not a guarantee to move back. I mean, if they go from let's say 14 to 22 and pick up a third rounder in the process...should we call for Hextall's head? He moved back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG! How coul dhe do that?SdG?ASFA?SDFG?
But somehow it is like trading a top prospect for a second rounder to punt this year, pick up another pick, and maybe get a higher draft pick.
Because the probability of the blues first being lower next year than it is this year is exceptionally low.
Unless, of course, they lose a good portion if their top players to injury again, and don't upgrade their goaltending. At the very least, one of those things not happening is very unlikely, hence the chances of the pick being low aren't good.
And the Flyers aren't really at a point where they need depth. They need quality. There's a better chance to find that at 11-15 than 20-25.
There's also the issue that, as already mentioned, a mid first for a late first and a third isn't good value.