3rd rounders likely bust 90% of the time vs help getting into playoffs and a 50/50 shot at re-signing him this is a no brainer. I think the time to worry about 3to4 years into the future for the jets was 3to4 years ago. We have plenty of young dcore on the system. I will take a proven hockey player virtually tied for the last playoff spot over someone who has a 90% chance of never playing in league every time.
I don't think the trade has much to do with a chance to re-sign him. If the Jets really want him next summer, they'll have a great chance regardless. It's not like DeMelo's phone will blow up with comparable offers.
The only thing DeMelo has proven in the league is that he can play well on a bottom feeder, without the pressure of playoff standings, getting good teams' questionable efforts. Last time he was on a playoff team they didn't qualify him nor did he crack the lineup on a regular basis. DeBoer chose to play Joakim Ryan 2 minutes more per game.
Things can change, maybe he can carry over confidence from Ottawa, play well in Winnipeg, re-sign and
continue to play well in the future and making a name for himself. That's a lot of ifs, but it's possible. There's also the bad scenario where he looks better than he ultimately is on this short stretch and the Jets give him a contract he doesn't live up to turning the whole thing into a lost pick and overpaid player (if the Jets think he's a #4 at the end of the year, considering UFA prices, would it surprise anyone if they signed him to 3M per or something?). Happened before in similar situations.
I still think he's nothing more than a 3rd pairing defenseman on a team looking to go on a playoff run. I can understand why Sens fans like anyone who shows any competence, but i wouldn't be up in arms excited acquiring that type of player.
I don't see this as much different as the Islanders wasting a 3rd rounder for Brandon Davidson a couple years ago and ultimately missing the playoffs. DeMelo might be the better player, but the situation is the same.
Anyway, it's not a big deal. What im more afraid of is the Jets not bolstering the D in the summer and rolling with Poolman/DeMelo as their top 4 RHD's thinking it'll be fine just because both guys have played well this year.