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I think they keep this years first round pick for 2025. It will still probably be top 20 pick even if they make the playoffs.
Next year in 2026, who knows. But I think the hope is that the league changes their mind and gives them back the 1rst round pick. New Jersey worked the same way .... they had 3 years to surrender their top round pick and waited until the 3rd year. For being a good boy, the league rescinded the penalty and only took a 2nd or 3rd round pick as penalty instead. I think Ottawa is hoping history repeats itself again.
- OttawaB
OTT wont sniff the playoffs next season, they are dam lucky to be any were need a WC this season all with BOS, NYR, NYI all crapping out, and with DET having now lost 5 in a row. you give up what you know, hoping the NHL changes its mind and hoping OTT is not a top 10 pick team next season is a recipe for disaster. Better chance OTT surrenders a top 10 pick or even 1st OA, imagine giving up Gavin because you were dumb enough to keep a mid teens pick IN A WEAK DRAFT the season before....
OTT is a bad team that had a poop ton of luck this season with several teams that were playoff team last season craping out, dont expect CBJ to repeat what they done so far this season next year but MTL will be better than OTT IF Demidov plays.
