So I am very tired and this may be illegal but what if the Devils traded away this pick in return for the Coyotes to take their Top 3 protection off the pick that the Devils own. If such a crazy trade were to happen like this (which it never will) the asking price may be higher than a fourth or maybe lower. Who knows? I just thought of this and thought that it would be crazy if a trade like this happened and I don't think any trade like it has so I am sure it would open a ton of new doors in the world of NHL trading.

I doubt it's legal. But it's at least an interesting topic.

I can see Bob McKenzie and James Duthie covering this on trade deadline day:
McKenzie: “It looks like we have another trade to report between Arizona and New Jersey.”
Duthie: “It seems that Arizona is receiving a fourth round pick and New Jersey is receiving...what??
McKenzie: “According to our sources, in exchange for the fourth round pick, Arizona is taking the top three pick protection off of their first round pick, which would allow New Jersey to select Alexis Lafreniere first overall if Arizona won the draft lottery”.
Duthie: lol wut?

🤣

It makes no sense for the Yotes, unless they’re getting something significant. And I don’t think you could do that, unless they trade you the pick after the lottery, which they most definitely would not do.

It's more about the concept of trading to take protections off picks. I mentioned in my comment that the value for doing so may be higher.