I think you guys might pick Hughes over Clarke, even though he's also great.

I think it's also a foregone conclusion at this point that Laine will re-sign with the Blue Jackets.

Fun, for sure.
But am not touching Patrik Laine nor Jake Debrusk.
Dougie Hamilton is probably not an option for NJD.
And Severson retained with 2 picks returns more than Sergachev.

The way Debrusk is playing right now, it doesnt seem like he needs a change of scenery to be honest.

I just look at it like, from where the team is, would I prefer this lineup or the version without any of these moves? I take the former.

Again, if Laine could be had for that package, why not? We've had plenty of picks (and still have most future picks). Zacha and those prospects are worth giving up. The high end potential of Laine is huge. Yes he is one dimensional but it's the dimension we need. Next to Hughes there is no reason not to think he could regain his previous form. Risk worth taking in my opinion.

Debrusk is a throw in, but again, for Johnsson? They can have him.

Sergachev is a legit top pairing defenseman on an elite, cup winning team, and is under team control. Severson is two years away from FA anyway, which is right about when we would be competing. I think that's a steal given the cost defenders of his caliber usually command.

Agreed on Hamilton, but just wanted to show willingness to put up big bucks to make a bold move. Note that there is still 13 mil of cap space remaining (assuming a flat cap, which will eventually go up), and that's BEFORE subban's contract is off the books.

That said, appreciate the response. To me this was just a fun exercise to show at least a semi-realistic hypo on how the team's core could be built around to form a possibly elite squad. But I don't think we can just keep waiting and expect the kids to do it all themselves, and I don't know what other options are out there. We've stayed pat for long enough, and it isn't like any of this really handcuffs us.

We'll see!

Yah I mean it all depends who we sign, was just sort of slotting in a player who hopefully is a high end top four defenseman (don't think there are any clear franchise changers in this draft.)

Regarding Laine, agreed not sure if they would part ways or not, but have heard rumblings of such (https://www.thedailygoalhorn.com/a-patrik-laine-trade-out-of-columbus-is-possible-heres-three-potential-deals/) again though who knows.

Yah, that was throw in. I just wanted to see if we could get anything from Johnsson, as I think on another team he could be a productive player.

Why would the bruins ever do that?

I had read reports that they were considering moving him earlier in the season for a "change of scenery" move, so I would certainly explore that if it were the case. But it's incidental and mostly just thrown in. can strike that from the above.

Okay. Well, i don’t know what “reports,” those were, but i would definitely make a mental note to never read that reporters stuff again.
Even if that was true however, you can’t just give up nothing for him. Golden rule: if you’re trading with a contender that has cap space, the trade has to make the contender better.