Originally posted this in the prospects thread, but it probably makes as much, if not more, sense here:
My initial reaction to the Yandle trade was the same as yours, FLY. But then I let it marinate for a while, and I realized that this is not the same old youth for over-the-hill vet move that bit the Rangers in the *ss for so many years. Yandle is 28, a full decade younger than Dan Boyle. When Duke is in the league scoring 30 goals per year four years from now, Yandle will still be there racking up his 45 assists.
Yes, we traded a potential offensive star. But we got back a proven one - he just happens to play defense. (And the Yotes retained half his salary.)
Much as I hate to see Duke go, I can't complain (too much).