I think a big reason for that is that the trade quite possibly could turn out to be a real stinker. Or Hajak turns out to be the best player moved or Howden blows everyone away by being able to take his game completely to the NHL without losing much or we pull a rabbit out of the hat with one of the picks. But it could also turn out to be a real stinker. Time will tell. And its not a good trade to blow...
I made several posts about trading JT Miller before this deal was made. I wrote this in November 17 for examples:
Roster Building Thread Part XI: We can read between the lines
But I have never been a big Namestnikov fan. Is the hockey sense there? To play a fast game all must all of it is about being smart. 3 Hagelins on the ice would not in any way play fast hockey. You need to position your self well, make the best decisions with the puck. Create speed by how you move the puck.
Hajak is a good prospect, but he need to have the same physical development as Skjei have had to become a star in the NHL. He is still young, Skjei needed what 4 years + 1 in the AHL. Can Hajak beef up and get the lateral movement Skjei have? He could become a star if he does, if he doesn't there are no guarantees that he become a good NHLer. LD, there are 2 good LDs out there for every good RD. Or winger/center for that matter too.
Howden is a great attitude guy and great guy to have in the system on a rebuilding team. Solid pickup. But I am not at all sold on his ability to bring offense to the NHL at center ice. Time will tell. If not, I see him more as a potential character PF winger.
The 1st could quite possibly be in the range that was a 2nd round pick just a few years ago. Its a very late 1st. Winning a Cup isn't easy. When we traded for MSL, Yzerman got a conditional 1st if we made the conference finals if I remember correctly. In the same context Gorton got a conditonal first not if Tampa gets to the ECF, not if Tampa gets to the SCFs, but if Tampa -- wins -- the Cup.