Zak MacMillan: RFA Patrik Laine : What to do?

Trade to the Ducks... let's make that happen for sure. Could do players or picks or combo of both.

Laine is a tough one to trade...

Sure every single person will talk about his POTENTIAL, but he is just unable to consistently score, which is what the biggest expectation of him is, year after year.

His big year of 40+ goals is probably 4 years removed, but now everyone is just happy if he can hit 30 goals again. The skills are there to become a 50 goal scorer, but mentally he has way too much baggage.

As for the trade, Columbus and more likely the fans will want a haul, but with the huge cap hit and no guarantees he could become the player fans/teams want him to be it would be really risky. Unless Columbus sold him with the mindset of reducing the salary cap while bringing in some assets that aren't too spectacular that could help fill voids I just don't see many teams going all in with him.

Laine and Columbus' first this year to Philly for Sean Couturier Philly gets younger to last the rebuild, Columbus gets a stellar Center that they need locked into a contract for his career.

Laine and Columbus' first this year to Philly for Sean Couturier Philly gets younger to last the rebuild, Columbus gets a stellar Center that they need locked into a contract for his career.
- GPerogie

Do you think Jarmo is reading the Buzz? That's a big sell job there.

Do you think Jarmo is reading the Buzz? That's a big sell job there.
- Glak18

Hey man I called Jake coming back to Columbus I'm going 2 for 2, or maybe I just think Philly needs a shooter and although losing Couts would hurt he would be perfect for Columbus.

Laine and Columbus' first this year to Philly for Sean Couturier Philly gets younger to last the rebuild, Columbus gets a stellar Center that they need locked into a contract for his career.

GPerogie

Why would the Jackets even consider doing this? They give up a 24 year old plus the 12th overall for a player that will turn 30 this year. Makes no sense for them at all plus when you know Couturier will be making 27 million in the next 3 years with 15 million of it signing bonuses...yeah i'm sure a small market team is going to want to pay 36 million in signing bonuses over the next 7 years. Also Couturier has a NMC so if he is to be traded, he can say exactly what team he wants to go to.

Jackets are way better off continuing to build their team through the draft and if they do decide to trade Laine, i would imagine they would want young players, prospects and picks (some combo of that) not a soon to be 30 year old making a lot of money.

Why would the Jackets even consider doing this? They give up a 24 year old plus the 12th overall for a player that will turn 30 this year. Makes no sense for them at all plus when you know Couturier will be making 27 million in the next 3 years with 15 million of it signing bonuses...yeah i'm sure a small market team is going to want to pay 36 million in signing bonuses over the next 7 years. Also Couturier has a NMC so if he is to be traded, he can say exactly what team he wants to go to.

Jackets are way better off continuing to build their team through the draft and if they do decide to trade Laine, i would imagine they would want young players, prospects and picks (some combo of that) not a soon to be 30 year old making a lot of money.
- dcz28

Only reason they would consider it is that they have trouble attracting players through FA, and have not had a center of his caliber. Though the money would hurt, thats what the profit sharing bs is for, besides not saying they would do it, but its an interesting thought. I don't think they'll be able to lock up Laine long term, but Philly might have a shot to do so, but no chance Philly moves Couts for him straight.

Laine's a point per game player, you sign him long term, how is this even a question.

Laine and Columbus' first this year to Philly for Sean Couturier Philly gets younger to last the rebuild, Columbus gets a stellar Center that they need locked into a contract for his career.
-GPerogie

Sure, what does Philly need centers for? Of course they'll trade the only good one they have for something they don't need cause the other team wants it.

CBJ signs Laine for $8.2M x 6 snd trades him to NJ for #2 OA and Sharangovich + a B prospect

Zak MacMillan: RFA Patrik Laine : What to do?
- Zak MacMillan

I hope it doesn't get out of hand like Johansson's psycho agent asking 8 million for no freaken reason.

Laine is easily worth that given what he brings to the table, unfortunately I see too much Phil Kessel in him than say a Panarin or other forward that changes the dynamic of a shift.

RFA for RFA. Tkachuk for Laine.
Benefits both teams in different ways.

Jarmo & Laine will agree on a long (6 yrs?) term agreement. Both sides have said they want him to be in Columbus. Laine has said he likes the city . . . and it sounds sincere, not blowing smoke.
I think it will be something like $9 - 9.25 x 6 yrs. Laine doesn't have the status & consistency to be in the 8-figure salary area. He has a reputation as a one-dimension player, which he's working to change. He had more assists than goals this season, and made steps toward more of a 2-way player. Geez - he's only 24 y.o., with the ability to score 40 goals every season.
But we saw his potential to carry the team for a length of time.
Unless something goes way sideways during negotiations we'll have him for years in the future.

Sure, what does Philly need centers for? Of course they'll trade the only good one they have for something they don't need cause the other team wants it.
- DarthProbert

The idea is we need an elite scorer and get younger, Couts is a top center, one of my favorite to play for the team in years and our record without him is disturbing considering the teams relative decent record with him in the lineup. Unfortunately for Philly to do an actual rebuild, he'll be in the late states of his career before this team is a true contender. Laine is a bit younger which works in P's favor..