The issue with the Burakovsky trade is I think it will make Joe a little less likely to trade his first round pick. Which, is going to make it more difficult to get a trade like this done.
Not having a 2020 2nd or 3rd shouldn't mean that Sakic avoids using the 2020 1st to add quality 2nd line players if a reasonable opportunity becomes available. That's particularly true given how many good young players are already in the system in Newhook/Bowers/Kaut at forward and Byram/Timmins/Meloche/Hellesson in defence (along with numerous long-shots).
Besides, there will most likely also be several teams in need of shedding cap after signing a few free agents, so using extra capspace to get picks back shouldn't be too hard.
For example, eating Reimer's $3.4m for two seasons (which would come off the books at the same time as Calvert and Cole the summer when Landeskog needs to be extended) would be an excellent way to use the capspace (while adding a veteran No.3 goaltender to the roster/AHL). Taking Reimer off their hands would surely gather at least a 2nd + 3rd (if not a 2020 1st due to it being 2 years and not 1 year like Marleau), but either way it probably needs to wait until after Bob/Panarin sign with Florida and puts them over the cap ceiling.
.... Then proceed to use those 'Reimer picks' to go get Johnson/Palat/Point. #Capspace
