When it comes to NHL teams making trades, there are no easier, but difficult assets to part with than first-round draft picks.
They're tantalizing because they're lottery tickets of hope and an opportunity for a team's scouting department to come up big for the franchise for years to come down the road.
And while the draft and developing consistently are how good teams stay good, a first-round pick may not help a team for a few seasons, if ever. That aspect makes it easier for a team that's ready to win now to part with one in a trade to better itself immediately.