Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: More teams are looking at a make the playoffs for longer-run as opposed to trying to go “all-in” for two or three years – anting to hold on to picks and high prospects instead of trying to win now.
Teams are becoming more reluctant to give up first-round picks for rentals. Jean-Gabriel Pageau is the top pending UFA center that could be had now. Will a team give up a first for him? If so, that would give the Ottawa Senators three first-round picks and three second-round picks in the 2020 draft.