This deal sucks for us. And I’m ready to be convinced otherwise, but I’m of the opinion that first round picks aren’t as valuable this draft because there’s a huge lack of play to assess prospects.
On the other hand there's also a real possibility of netting gems in the second round or thereafter. It comes down to how thorough staffs are under trying circumstances. Lots of video scouting. The Caps will also have to lean on some of their evals from last season (and before). The U18s will still go on and historically it seems the Caps weigh international tournaments fairly strongly. There's enough action, particularly in Europe in what seems to be a pretty strong group overall, to get the sense it should at least be an average first round.
I might move the first in a package with Panik for someone like Rakell. I'm not sure there's an available cure-all. I suppose if they can add a relatively young, non-rental two-way winger maybe it helps them trade Vrana at the draft for futures of some sort if that's how they want to play it. I don't get the sense in trading the first for a rental, though. Not unless they believe they'll be able to retain them (which, again, will trigger other moves).
I'm guessing they make a move to make a move. I just hope it isn't counterproductive. IMO a goaltender runs that risk. Don't bother with a Mike Weber type token veteran depth addition. Add pace or just ride it out.