History shows trading a first-round pick is a risky short-term solution

Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty ImagesMarc Bergevin is headed into the 2020 Entry Draft with eleven draft choices, among which is the 16th overall draft pick. During his media tour in recent days, he has mentioned his willingness to move this pick if it helps him attract a trade for a player who can immediately help the team. Trading a first-round pick is always risky because many of these picks turn into solid roster members down the road after years of development, and for that reason it’s usually not recommended. But as we all know, drafting is an inexact science, while trading for a known asset is more much certain. It just comes down to whether it is a known asset in the right situation.

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