Quoting: jfkst1
Malkin and Letang were signed two years ago. Jarry and Karlsson decisions were made last offseason. They might not rebuild by trading away the core, but they have been very open about adding futures and the last decision undeniably followed that as well. So not a single "recent" move has been the opposite.
These deals make them better today. (Significantly better than Detroit or Washington IMO). I doubt this team misses the playoffs.
I don't see this as selling the farm or futures. Although you are literally giving away a 1st and two former 1st round picks, you also clear out the most immoveable contract on the team, pickup some 2nds/3rds and gets players in Robertson (21), Lili (24), Marner (26), Guentzel (29) who will still have enough trade value in 2-3 years that you can use them to kickstart your full tear it down rebuild when Sid retires.
The ideas of a half baked rebuild is absurd. Kyle is smart enough to know it doesn't work. But what being aggressive can do is give him pieces to sell other than Sid/Gino/Malk when those guys are gone.
This team competes for 2/3 years then Marner fetches the equivalent of 3+ 1sts, Guentzel fetches a 1st, Robertson and Lili could both be worth a 1st+ by then. So in 2026 you sell it off and if you just get picks back in the 2026/27/28 drafts you could have 9+ 1sts.
This is smart asset management.
Trying to trade roster players for futures while signing horrible long-term contracts with negative value is not a winning strategy.