Unfortunately, I do understand their arguments. The argument is that a draft pick regardless of who it is, is better than a roster player who is producing, and because that roster player is a UFA, it is better to "sell" them and miss the playoff revenue for a shot in the dark that the draft pick will be a good player than can be an NHL caliber player quickly.
The problem with that argument is, unless that pick is a Top 10 pick, the chances the pick will pay immediate dividends is very small.
Look, if there was to sell a player for a HIGH PICK, yes, makes sense, but to sell for a low first or more likely a low second, you aren't just losing the current season, you're packing in the next few seasons as well. Then you are playing the lottery.