Being a desirable PTO destination basically means you have less depth in a certain area doesn’t it? Thought PTOs go to teams where they have the best chance to crack the lineup, because as you say the place they go to will have an advantage to evaluate and sign.
I think its a double edged sword.
PTOs usually turn out 2 or 3 solid guys a year, usually older guys coming off an injury or a younger guy who just didnt work in a different system.
They go to teams who they think they can either
a)crack the NHL lineup
or
b) the AHL lineup and have a chance to be called up if an injury occurs
Leafs can afford to pay guys 700k in the AHL, so a PTO person might like the idea of knowing the Leafs will pay them well.
If you as a team after the first month of free agency keep a few spots open, using PTOs might be an easy and cheap way to get 4th line/6-7D type talent.