Don't get what you're trying to argue here. You can certainly judge the trade based on the current happenings.
On the bolded, Brzustewicz has 17 points in 11 games since the trade. We actually traded him when he was ice cold (moot point as I doubt his trade value has changed much since December though).
I'm not saying our management group is incompetent or stupid but I think they misgauged the whole trade market as they probably anticipated the prices would rise closer to the deadline. It's probably a good learning experience for Allvin.
Even the best GMs lose some deals. It happens.
Not arguing, just pointing out that other teams would have paid the same or close to the same, even now. i.e. I think most other GMs would have agreed with the market for Lindholm. It's only with the benefit of hindsight in how he has fit with the team that we can say it didn't work out as hoped. The asking price for Lindholm, even if he wasn't traded until tomorrow, would be a 1st, a prospect and a roster player. And they would get it from someone.
Maybe a different way to look at it to add some clarity/agreement is, would I do the trade again today with all that has played out since the trade? Likely not.
