xNogaitx
Joined: Jun. 2018
Posts: 87
Likes: 16
AA is a third liner, albeit his value still being slightly higher due to RFA rights and his age, his addition to a deal would only move the needle on a trade past the 40th overall selection (say moving up from 55th to 44th.)
For Mtl to back out of the top 5, you have to not only include AA, but you have to give them something that is appealing enough for them to reconsider drafting Zadina.
You also have to include Vegas' 1st (30th overall) and probably something else since 30th isn't all that appealing when considering a "trade down from top 3" scenario.
I'd go as far as saying that the overpayment needed would probably look as follow (since it would be an interdivisional trade):
MTL:
6th Overall
30th Overall
33rd Overall
AA
DET:
3rd Overall
38th Overall