Disagree Mickle, even if we lose Karlsson this offseason and finish last the likeliest spot we draft next year (assuming we finish last) is still 4th. I don't think we do as bad next year as we did last year, that was a team that looked very poisoned in that locker room. I think Dorion will be looking to instill some youth into the lineup, and sometimes the vets feed off of that energy the young kids bring off. If Anderson and Karlsson are back to themselves next year, we should be in the playoff hunt again.
That seems very optimistic. Brassard and Hoffman gone already, that's a good chunk of our offence right there, looking 50/50 at best that Karlsson stays (and that's being optimistic from the reports out there), Anderson is a year older; at 37 there haven't been many goalies put up average numbers, so a bounce back season is far from a sure thing, or even a likely one.
Maybe we are better than last year, but I doubt we do much better. Next year's draft is deeper at the top, so we don't need to end up 4th to have a better pick. Possibly could still get a better player as deep as 7-10th. The risk is minimal, and we need to hit a homerun if Karlsson is gone, so that's our best shot at doing it.
If Karlsson sticks around, keep this years pick. If he's gone though, Idk, it's a tough call. We won't give it up because with this franchise they always seem to want to feign as though there's a chance they could make the playoffs, and swaping the pick would be an admission we've given up.
