Quoting: Lenny7
Love the idea of adding Laine, but not at the cost of McTavish.
No problem with the 1st going, especially if there's an extension worked out, but Drysdale, Zegras, and McTavish can't (and shouldn't) be on the table.
What are the Jackets biggest needs at this point?
With the team rebuilding, its (a) picks; and, (b) young, high-end prospects who can play in the AHL (i.e. are still waivers exempt). On the NHL squad, its high-end forwards and RD.
We are about to add Marchenko and Johnson next year, with Voronkov the year after. We have tons of middle/ bottom 6 guys we need to move on from, and make way for guys with legit top-6 talent.
Boqvist, Peeke, and Bean have been great on the RD, but not sure any of them have truly emerged as a 1D alongside Werenski.
A trade with ANA would be tough because, if I'm CBJ, I want to try and get a Drysdale or McTavish from them. Guys who, like you said, are probably untouchable. 1sts are great, but with the way ANA has been playing, not sure it'll end up being terribly high.