AHL general manager trades son to division rival for nothing

MacKinnon is the son of Utica's general manager, Dan MacKinnon.

Future considerations is just a fancy term for when the team receiving a player does not have to immediately give up any assets like another player, draft compensation or cash.

So, translation: A father traded his son away for literally nothing.

But there's only so much familial connections will do for a player, it takes skill and production to make it as a professional.

Will MacKinnon, 24, played 42 games for Utica this season, logging just four points (four assists) and a plus-four rating. He went undrafted and has never been signed by an NHL team.

However, this move isn't all it appears to be. Despite Will MacKinnon's lack of production, he was actually sent to a Calder Cup contender in Cleveland.

Utica (23-26-4), the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliate, are in last place in the North division while the Monsters (28-18-5), part of the Columbus Blue Jackets' organization, sit in fourth in the same division.

Dan MacKinnon also acts as the assistant general manager for the Devils, responsible for the franchise's minor league prospects.

It may have seemed brutal and cold-hearted for a father to do that to his own son, but in the end, it may have been a favor.