Laine

Cbj is at the very least qualifying him and even if he was a UFA he would probably get 8+ on a one year deal

CBJ will qualify Laine at $7.5 million (his base salary this year) and it will probably end up as a higher number. Either as a 1-year bridge or arbitrator ruling.

It is the offseason following the 2021-22 season where it will be interesting if a long term deal isn't going to happen.

Stats with Columbus so far: 28gp 7g 7a 14p -10 4ppg 5ppp 0gwg 55s. It's not even the lack of points that I find concerning, so much as the lack of shots. Each season with Winnipeg, Laine averaged almost three shots per game. In Columbus he's below two. There is no effort. It's bad enough the team traded a #1C for him, but he just isn't playing his game for them.

I think he's traded by the deadline, and a lot cheaper than people are guessing.

Its not about the value on the Orlov trade (which is very acceptable), its the cap. MTL have about as close to $0 as it gets and will need every spare penny going forward. You'd probably need to take a Byron, Edmundson or Chiarot going the other way to make the cap work.

Seeing as your goal seemed to be moving out long term $ I don't think MTL is the best landing spot for Orlov moving forward unless it involves more of a "Hockey trade".

The only way Kekalainen saves his job is if he can salvage the Laine relationship with the team, which he could probably do with a new coach. If Jarmo tries to trade Laine 70 days after acquiring him, ownership would veto that and fire Jarmo as that would be an admission of failure and poor asset management.