Trades like this and the Gaustad trade last year do show that GM's do put a heavy emphasis on the present. If they think a player helps their chances of winning a Cup in the near future or just staying a bit more competitive, they're going to jump on it. Sometimes it pays off, usually it doesn't.
And yet it's always seems to be such a surprise when a team gives up something "significant" for a third liner or depth defenseman. Maybe it's not always in the best interest for the club's future and in hindsight it's easy to judge them as bad trades. However, a general manager's time is far from indefinite and that player who contributes now as opposed to a prospect who's several years away or a pick that even if they work out usually don't make an impact for 5 years don't do them any good if they've been canned.
So I always get a kick out of the trade proposals that have a bonafide 2nd line player in his late 20's and certain fans saying he's not worth the 10th best prospect they have.
With that said, I like this trade from both sides. Morrow's a steep price to pay for Morrow but Morrow adds grit to a team looking to come out of the East. Morrow's the type of player that's willing to pay the price and wear out the other teams in what the Penguins should be expecting to be a long playoff run. While Morrow is a good prospect to have making his way through the system and the Stars should be having high hopes for the kid. Also, Morrow.
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