Unfounded Optimism

If the ask remains 2 1st round picks or a 1st round pick and a 1st round equivalent prospect, I think Washington would end up with a trade something like this.

BOS 1st: I don't think MacLellan would be willing to part with his own 1st rounder if he can find a way around it, and now that he has BOS's 1st that becomes somewhat easier.

McMichael can still fit the bill as a good prospect but Washington would have to add more. To McMichael's credit, he did well last year and looks to be rebounding in Hershey with a competent coach.

Arizona doesn't have many exciting goalie prospects, and given Gibson may choose to opt into free agency instead of playing against Clay Stevenson in the pipeline, I think he may take the chance to be an NHL goalie in Arizona instead of waiting for Lindgren and Kuemper to leave.

The Last player could certainly be a choice of Arizona's choosing. Alexander Suzdalev has been good but Washington may covet him more than others. Ludwig Persson is also decent but Arizona has quite the bevy of forward prospects and may not want another. I opted for Brent Johnson as he's shown good promise on the right side, but will likely be stuck in Washington behind Iorio and Chesley so he could be viewed as more expendable by Washington.

LTIRetired, or at least done for next year, due to possibly playing through multiple injuries (Back, foot, etc)