Columbus is probably open to trading Laine for a 1st, but $4.350M retained for 3 seasons is a nonstarter.

And before you say "no team is taking his full cap hit", that's fine. Columbus has no cap crunch, and the timeline to compete likely starts in 2025-26. Laine fits that timeline, and if he rebounds, fits the need for top-end forward talent. There's no reason to retain significantly or sell low when we can just keep him.

How would you be retaining for three years if he only has two left..?

Because I'm dumb, but Columbus would be the ones to find a way!

Maybe at the deadline Kuzmenko goes for that, but during the off season the retention alone is worth a 2nd.

I’d rather keep Kuz. He’ll have a bounce back year next year, watch.

Calgary declines, they won't trading Kuzmenko now if all they get is a mid 2nd. Not even without retention.