The NHL's Next First Rounder Traded From The 2020 Draft Class

Most of the first round picks from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft have at least played a game in the NHL and they are starting to come off of their entry-level contracts. Some are already finding it difficult to get traction as a pro and on the teams they are on. This will likely lead to trades. A few have even already been dealt. Let's take a look at who could be next.

Justin Barron

The Montreal Canadiens have a very deep defensive group, and Justin Barron, who was already traded to them from the Colorado Avalanche, might be one of the talented young players moved. As a player who is still exempt from waivers, it is unlikely he will make the Canadiens to start the season unless he really impresses. In terms of who his competition will be on the right side, it's David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, David Savard, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Kaiden Guhle. Barron is still a talented player who showed some good stuff last season in 39 games with the Canadiens. He could be used as a nice trade chip when the time comes that Montreal needs one.

Marco Rossi

The Minnesota Wild have had to deal with the health concerns of Marco Rossi since after he was drafted and it set him back in his development. After being picked ninth overall, the centerman has just 21 games played in the NHL and 19 of them came last season with one assist to show for it. He should be the fourth line center this season and be given a bit of a chance, but it's not much considering talented players don't typically succeed on the fourth line. The Wild might not have too much more patience for Rossi as they have two more seasons until their window to win opens up even wider. He might have that long to prove he can be a part of what the Wild are building.

Quinton Byfield

The Los Angeles Kings have been very patient with Quinton Byfield as he's spent a lot of time in the AHL considering the spot he was drafted at (2nd overall). The center experiment just continued to fail, so he was moved over to the wing. The Kings have a number of talented wingers right now and Byfield managed just three goals and 22 points in 53 games last season on the top line. This has to be the season where he shows real improvement, or the Kings will have to think about moving him before they give him a larger contract. They are in their window to win and can't keep giving chances to players who aren't proving they deserve them.