NHL trade deadline: Should teams sit or play star trade candidates?

The Ottawa Senators haven’t made many good decisions over the past few seasons. But their call not to use Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel on Thursday night was the right move.

Thursday’s road game against the New Jersey Devils meant nothing to the Senators. Possibly trading those three players means everything to the franchise.

No reason to risk injury. No scout needs to see them one last time.

The only time a team shouldn't sit a potential deadline day trade subject is when it is fighting for a playoff spot. That's why Micheal Ferland, a prime rental, will stay in the lineup for the Carolina Hurricanes.

The integrity of the game argument for these situations became moot when the NHL trade deadline evolved into one of the most important traditions. No other sports league has a trade deadline tradition quite like the NHL’s.

This isn’t a system that started yesterday. The importance of the trade deadline is well established.  It’s part of the league’s circle of life. The trade deadline can help restock the herd.

What has changed through the years are fans’ attitudes about rebuilding. They not only understand the rebuilding process – they demand that it occur. Rebuilding plans are becoming consumer driven.

Buffalo fans openly rooted for their team to lose during the Connor McDavid Sweepstakes. Leaf Nation applauded when Brendan Shanahan and Co. decided to strip the Toronto Maple Leafs down to the chassis. Detroit fans were ready for a rebuild before Red Wings’ management was.

How many fan bases have discussed “Losing for Hughes” this season because they want to see hot American-born center prospect Jack Hughes come to their team?

Fans not only expect teams to sit players who might be traded – they are demanding that it happen. How many New York Rangers fans are unhappy because their team played Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello Thursday in a meaningless game against the Minnesota Wild?

These days, risking injury for tradeable assets seems like managerial malpractice in the NHL.