If I ran a struggling NHL team and there was a generational talent available in the next draft class, I wouldn't tank the season.
No, "tanking" is too tame a description for what I'd do. I would populate my team with semi-pros. I would replace their sticks with swimming pool noodles. My roster would be one cent above the salary-cap floor. Our nets would be as figuratively empty as many sections of our arena.
Is tanking worth it? Absolutely, when you're securing the services of a player like Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews.