Laine's best hockey has been played in Columbus up until he started dealing with whatever off-ice issues he has now. There is no reason to believe that he can't get back to where he was in 2021-22 and 22-23 with a clear head.

With how much love Boone has for Columbus, Pittsburgh is absolutely on his no-trade list if the Jackets would ever even begin to consider sending him to a division rival.

The package you're proposing doesn't even cover Boone's value to the Jackets let alone Laine 50% retained and taking back what equates to a pure cap dump to the Jackets in Reilly Smith.

There is no benefit for the Jackets here.

penguins aren't trading 1st round picks. They are in no position to. They are lucky their pick this year wasn't top 10.

"Lucky"?!?!?

If their pick had been in the top ten this year, they would have one of the first ten selections this June instead of an unknown pick in 2025. How is that "lucky"?

This offer is awful value for the blue jackets.

CBJ trade their captain/top-6 C, their top winger, and retain almost $9M for a cap dump and two picks.

"This deal greatly benefits both sides"

Jenner isn't available, so that's off the table. If you want Laine half-retained, sure, that package lands him assuming that pick is top-10 like it should be, or top-5 like it could be.

you are assuming the 25 pick won't be worse.