The reasoning behind the idea of trading DeMelo is relatively simple, younger players need a shot. Nate Schmidt and Neal Pionk both have two years left on their big deals and likely are not going anywhere without some retention and Brendan Dillon is more valuable at to the Jets at this moment.
Young players like Logan Stanley, Dylan Samberg, and most important Ville Heinola need a real opportunity to play at the top level and with DeMelo plugging up a top 4 slot, none of those players can get increased ice time.
DeMelo also comes in with a modest $3 million cap hit and is coming off his most productive year offensively ever. With all of this considered, he could be the odd man out and could fetch a solid return of some decent picks.
