The trade does not hurt anything short term. We are rebuilding and hopefully we lose a lot the rest of the year. And can luck out with a top 5 pick or better. That’s the goal. Then with all we traded for we have options to make trades for additional young nhl players by trading Zucc and Hayes. Gorton did a fantastic job and we are in a great position to get some highly talented players this summer.

Also highly doubtful staal is bought out. One could make the case he is in great position to be the next “C” until his contract runs out and a kid steps up to earn it. Having staal smith and shatty gives us nice leadership in the back with skjei then we trade smith once his play improves or we move smith at the draft with a pick.

We have so many options and only scratched the surface of the personnel moves