Of course this is not 2018, this deadline does not represent a sea change in philosophy resembling that one. But, just as seven years ago, the hierarchy — different general managers, same CEO — is not homing in at making a run at eighth place at the expense of acquiring future assets in exchange for expiring contracts.
GM Chris Drury did the right thing by the franchise, and by the way, the right thing for both Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey by sending the impending free agents to Colorado for a conditional second-rounder and a conditional fourth this June plus defenseman Calvin de Haan and 24-year-old forward Juuso Parssinen.
You should expect any deal struck between now and the March 7 deadline coming up Friday to adhere to that template. Impending free agent winger Reilly Smith should fetch tangible value from a Cup contender. Any larger deal would prioritize the next few years over this season.
Yet, the deal does not kneecap the squad. It does not leave gaping holes in the lineup, but one of the fallouts from this is that these acquisitions might limit the ice time of some of the younger players. Of course, Parssinen, whom we’re told will be given every shot, is, again, 24, so there might go that generalization.
