Personally I think we should keep Laine, he’s a goal scorer and we don’t have many that can score goals that easily. And with Bjorkstrand being buried and covered as the primary guy. he can’t get any room. So Laine adds that extra line which bumps Bjorkstrand down to priority 2. Frees him up to play like a top line player.
Unless Laine is asking for a ridiculous amount of money then that’s a new conversation.

I don't like the idea of losing Laine unless he won't sign long term. He has top end skill you can only hope to draft, so I don't see a reason to take a chance on picks when you already have a sure thing.

I assume you are also trading Domi at the deadline rather than just let him walk.

At least one of Bemstrom/Tex/Foudy should be moved at the draft. Give them as long as possible to prove who should stay in Columbus.

I hope we do something to upgrade that last LD spot. Carlsson, Harrington, Bayreuther are all adequate 7th or 8th defensemen. I'd like to see a UFA signing of a physical stay at home guy here. We need some kind of physicality and that is really the only open spot going forward. Bring some one in to protect the young guys.

Want to echo this. Would need high picks and top prospects for Laine if we were to move him. While his game has flaws, he is an elite scorer and an underrated passer. Any pick or prospect would just be someone who we would be hoping to one day be as good as Laine. He's a top line player, I would want a lottttt coming back to justify moving him. Outside of this, I think moving Foudy as well while there is still value there would be worth it. Hopefully they give Christiansen a shot at the 3rd pairing LD this year too. He has been incredible in Cleveland.

Yes, he would be traded at the TDL too. Forgot to sign him as a UFA, that’s on me.

Also I think it’s time to move on from Gus. He looks lost and makes so many baffling decisions that he is almost a detriment in the offensive zone. Plus his deployment of him with Bjorkstrand makes me pull my hair out. I hope we move him at the deadline and make space for other younger players to get opportunities.

They need a couple more character guys like Tyler Toffoli and JT Miller. That would help in the development of the young guys and quicken the turnaround