They got back a prospect who is perhaps further along than Fernstrom and plays at a more coveted position.
Their cupboards were completely bare when they took over the team. They are far less bare now. Especially on the blueline.
In the last 3 calendar years they have added Hronek and MP to compliment the best in the world for the top 4. They have added EP2 and Willander who will likely be full time NHL players next season. They have a D-man who is still junior eligible 5th in AHL rookie D-man scoring (kudryatsev). They have another promising D-man in Mynio. That is 6 D-men that are either legitimate NHL defenders or very promising youth. When they came in Poolman, Hamonic, Hunt and Burroughs were getting time with the team. They were barely NHL players. In the system the best players were Juulsen, Brisebois and Woo. Again guys that really don't have a NHL future (despite the love affair Tocchet has with Juulsen). Dermott was a clear miss on Alvin's part.
Up front it was no better. Podkolzin was about the only player worth mentioning and he's still really a bottom of the lineup player. Di Guiseppe was the best farm player (late 20s at the time). They have players with some promise and/or can come up and make a contribution.
Is the system depth deep? Not at all. But it was non-existent when Benning was finally let go. Every aspect of the organization needed to be rebuilt. And I mean every aspect. Main club, farm system and the entire front office/scouting as it was skeletonized under Benning/Aquilini.
"Win now" is typically guys on the downside of their career who will only be around short term. That is not the MO of this management group in their trade deals. They look for under 30 players that have a lot of runway left in their career. MP fits into that. As did Hronek. When they sign MP long term (and it is when IMO) they will have themselves another long term top 4 D-man they acquired. It's not a cheap as it cost of a couple first round picks but it's also not any sort of overpayment and it addresses now AND future needs. They are significant assets.