Boston declines.

2025 1st will do it. Top 10 protected.

Can't afford DeBrusk long term. Need to extend Luke the following year, let alone Ullmark if we did get him.

Plausible moves.

Thank you. I think Boston fans insisting on the 2025 first round pick are going to be disappointed. Teams like LAK and COL cannot offer a comparable package for Ullmark to this one without completely depleting their store of draft picks. Ondrej Palat’s contract likely has to be traded after the season to make room for Hughes and Nemec extensions incoming. McNabb is a one year stop gap in this model meant to insulate Hughes and Nemec until they’re ready for larger roles.

Debrusk’s salary will come from moving off of Palat’s contract and the expiration of McNabb and Haula’s contract. There might be some finagling that has to be done but I think it can be managed.

The alternative would be Holtz for an extended Ullmark after the draft. Then use Clarke in Holtz’s old spot.

I’m not convinced about moving off of Alexander Holtz just yet. I know it was an uneven year for him, but the offense is there. I don’t think his summer of 2025 extension will be all that expensive which is one of the reasons to keep him. The trick is knowing which players the devils need to move off of (haula, Palat etc) so Hughes and Nemec can be extended. Finding players on cheaper deals (like I expect Holtz to be on) and entry level contracts are important.

McNabb is worth more than moving up 20 spots lol

Vegas has no money. You’re right that McNabb is worth more than moving up 20 spots but Vegas is in no position to get full value for their players. They once gave away Marc-Andre Fleury immediately after he won a vezina trophy because they couldn’t afford his salary. If that’s the value of a vezina trophy winner, I don’t think you can expect more for one year of Brayden McNabb.

Comparing apples and oranges. Fleury had a 7 million cap hit and much much older.

Over the years we’ve always been cap strapped still got a 3rd for Reilly, got Nicholas Roy for Haula, 2nd and 3rd for Gusev.

McNabb and Ulmark cost more than that.