The way I see this Tre did well with what he had. Tried for Bishop but ultimately Bishop didn't want to be here (and I didn't really want him here either). MA Fleury was on the radar but he wants to go to Vegas. Tre had pending UFA Johnson, who was likely not part of the plans for next year and Hickey who was likely not going to sign with us. So in effect Smith was had for a conditional 2/3 pick and two assets that were about to expire. A bit high of a pick, but that extra cap room costs and will help us upgrade our #4 D, so worth it.
Is Smith better than Elliott? Probably, but not by a ton. Elliott would have cost a 3rd though and around the same salary but for longer.
This leaves us with a capable and slight upgrade for a #1, the ability to try a kid or two at Backup and ease them in and hopefully in 2 years one is ready to take over.
I get the lukewarm response cause this doesn't feel like a home run, but in context it's likely one of the best options we had available and the acquisition cost is manageable.
In Tre we (I) trust!
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