Yeah, giving up two 1st round picks for UFA to be Gourde and decent Bjorkstrand, who is signed through next season, seems like a lot. Gourde is a 15 goal 45-point guy and Bjorkstrand is a 20 goal 50-point guy. Seems like a lot to give up for these two. They better hope they win. When you look at this return, and with TB looking solid, it makes me say even more Drury should be a seller and take advantage of a seller's market.
I could understand TB wanting Gourde back but they didn't get bigger with the trade and seems like overpayment for the return. Drury is learning first hand how difficult NTCs make it to move players who are not part of the team's plans. I don't see trading guys like CK or Smith as rebuilding when they are not in the lineup but I'm baffled why Smith would choose to reject a trade to another team where he's likely starting every game especially given his contract status.
Smith will get dealt, no doubt about that IMO. I don't think Drury should rebuild either, I do think he should be a seller this week though and start to set the team up to be a legit SC threat next season. They are not a SC threat this season, despite the fact they may slip in as a WC or 3rd in the Met if the Devs collapse without Hughes. Getting in and losing in 5 or 6 games to the Caps, Canes, Panthers, Leafs, or Lightning doesn't mean much. Which one of those teams are the Rangers beating in a 7-game series, let alone two of those teams just to make the ECF. It isn't happening, please be smart Drury.
I suppose when Kucherov slips a little with his play Tampa will deal everybody and do a full on tank. So, I guess you can see why they are doing this. Their window is still open.
I am always a fan of being aggressive and going for it, when you have a realistic shot, and they do. They did give up a lot but win now and worry about it later in a few years I say. I cannot beat them up for what they did with a team that clearly can win a Cup. They are a smart team that makes smart moves. They got Guentzel instead of Stamkos, they brought McDonagh back, and now they go for it with this trade. Smart moves for a now team, that also won two Cups, so hard to question them. I wish we had their GM.
