"If there was ever a prospect that was a sure thing, it would be Byfield" - Tkecanuck341

While I disagree with that ridiculous statement entirely, I would be more comfortable taking Byfield or Stutzle than hoping Kakko rebounds.

Yes I know Kakko was a 2OA pick... Who doesn't?

"Rebounds" implies that he played below a baseline that he had previously established. He was brought up to the NHL before he was ready and had a mediocre year. He needs to continue to develop and get stronger and better, not rebound.

Even the best prospects are not sure things. There have been numerous "can't miss" players that have turned into busts. The best that you can do is bet on potential. Kakko and Byfield have similar potential. Byfield plays the preferred position and has a size advantage, so that gives him an edge in terms of overall value, but that's why the Kings get to upgrade the other Kings pick from #35 to #22. I agree that I wouldn't do a Kakko for Byfield 1-for-1 swap, but when considering what you can get with the other pick, I'd absolutely consider it.

The draft is deep, we'll get a good player at 35OA. Not worth it IMO.

Fair enough. You are entitled to your opinion.

Doesn't matter what I think, does that really seem like the kind of move Passive Blake would make?

Blake has been hesitant to give up 1st round picks in the past for veteran players because he didn't want to mortgage the future to win now. For a chance to bring in another 1st round pick and a high skill 19 year old prospect like Kakko, I think he would absolutely consider it.

Blake will not consider it unless Yannetti presses for it which doesn't seem like a likely outcome, nor should it happen.

You said the Kings don't have a clear cut #1 center so why would you want this to happen?

Or are you all of the sudden changing your mind about Vilardi who IS a clear cut #1.

You stole my line.

The Kings don't have a clear-cut #1 winger either. They really don't have a clear cut #2 or #3 winger either. Kaliyev and Fagemo are far from sure things. The Kings have two top 5 OA center talents in the pipeline in Turcotte and Vilardi (the later went #11 OA, but was ranked in the top 5 in the final rankings before the draft). They don't have a single young winger that went anywhere in the first round. I'd be willing to roll the dice that one of Turcotte or Vilardi could turn into a #1C (no, I still think neither is clear-cut at this point) if it got the Kings an elite scoring winger.

In the late 1st round and early 2nd there are some good wingers available. Kings could take a cap dump for a late 1st or maybe Reichel will slip to 35OA like Kaliyev. Pretty soon Kings will be able to aquire top 6 wingers via trade.

None of which will have Kakko's potential. Anyone acquired in the late first or early 2nd rounds will be higher risk players, like Kaliyev and Fagemo. They could very well turn into quality players, but the odds are higher than 50% that a 2nd round pick will not turn into a regular NHL player.

The Kings need wingers significantly more than they need centers right now. Lafreniere would have been ideal, but the cards didn't work out that way. There's no trade that is ever going to get done to swap the #1 and #2 OA picks. A #2OA pick for a #2OA pick is a reasonable trade that could see the Kings get the player at the position they need, that wouldn't see either team making a ridiculous overpayment.