LOL, not a chance from SJ side

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SJ ain't taking Michkov. With this trade, they get a proven C1/C2 on a much more palatable contract, a promising D prospect, which SJ desperately needs, and a top 10 pick.

But they're a rebuilding team, stuck with a coke head at a large cap hit.You want the 4th, they aren't taking a useless cap hit. WIth the WSH pick you need to offer good prospects. Top 5 is high end. The 8 not nearly as good. SJ needs young franchise changing players.

Add your first next year and Sjs consider

There's only so much WSH can do about Kuzy's cap hit; even if they retain 50%, SJ still pays 3.9 mil. Also, SJ will get a young, Franchise-changing player at 8; one they won't have to wait three years for.

I wouldn't be opposed to that. It would be super risky, but I definitely wouldn't hate it.

They keep the pick and take Will Smith.

The drop from 4 to 8 is massive. It's an impossible trade to make, because San Jose isn't trading down for anything short of a huge overpayment.

In 2015, Toronto wanted 34, 38, and 58 to move down from 4 to 8. Columbus said no. You have to keep in mind, that was a very deep draft where there would be good players available early in the second, and the difference between the projected player at 4 and the projected player at 8 wasn't as big as usual. Toronto basically asked for two first round talents+ to move down from 4 to 8.

There probably is no reasonable avenue for Washington to get Michkov. Michkov's situation is tailor made for the Coyotes who pick at 6. The way that this draft is structured, nobody is likely to want to drop out of the top 5 for anything other than a massive return.

Washington's only hope is to do something like offer Arizona two or three first round picks to trade down. Arizona probably doesn't say no to 8th overall and Washington's 2024 and 2025 1st - Washington isn't going to offer that though.

I would say there’s a %90 percent chance whoever is taken at 8 isn’t going to be a full time nhler in 3 years. It’s not all that often that happens. The waiting for Michkov argument is a flawed one

I'd do this and flip Kuznetsov if I had a deal in place...

This will age poorly. There's so many future stars in this draft; guys like Benson, Dvorsky, Reinbacher will be available at 8. Even 10-15 will have some steals, like Colby Barlow and Brayden Yager. Michkov might play big, but he doesn't fit the bio of the type of player Jim Armstrong usually is attracted to.

Also, how is the waiting argument flawed? It's super relevant. Teams want to be good now, and Arizona won't be any better if they need to wait 3 years for their pick. They'll want a guy that can come up asap to play with Keller, Hayton and Schmaltz, and develop with Lamoureux, Geekie, Guenther and Cooley.

I see them going immediate impact wing (Leonard) at 6, and a D at 12 (Sandin Pellikka, if he's still up.)

Michkov's situation is tailor made for a team that isn't in win now mode. Arizona has Keller and Schmaltz, and a whole bunch of picks this year and next year. They're going to want to start building a team that can win asap; that will help keep guys around, which will help keep fans around, which will help build a new arena.

It’s flawed because outside of the top 3 guys likely none of these players drafted will be full time nhlers until Michkov can come over from Russia. There’s a ton of talent early in the draft yes, but making the jump to the nhl inside 2 years is a strap ask

I think more than just the top 3 will be full-time NHLers by the 2026-27 season. Plus, the other picks the get the guy in their system, playing their style, and getting acclimated. The further Michkov drops, the smaller the risk will be, but teams will look to avoid him due to the Russian Factor, not being at the combine, the KHL contract, and alleged character issues.

No they aren't.

They are treading water until their situation is resolved. Whether that is in Arizona or after a relocation. They have been doing that since their push to compete circa the time of the Hall acquisition failed, and they started the most ridiculous teardown/tank job the league has ever seen.

Michkov go Arizona is the perfect situation because they can't spend money to build a roster right now. Not burning his ELC is a huge advantage for them, since they will still be tanking until their situation is resolved.

There is no reasonable avenue for Washington to get Michkov. Arizona probably asks for both Washington's '24 and '25 1st round picks to move down.

Nobody is asking Arizona to trade anything. This proposal is for an SJ trade. Arizona needs D more than F. Period. They'd maybe take a shot on Michkov if he falls to 12, which he won't. Also, treading water isn't going to do anything for finding a new arena or keeping fans interested.

At the end of the day, we're both biased fans arguing our cases. I really think he ends up in WSH – he might even fall to 8. Let's just wait and see.