Getting Younger

If we strikeout in free agency then Laine might be worth taking a swing at. If anyone can revive him, it’d be Sidney Crosby as his center. His short term isn’t that much of a risk either. However, PIT won’t be paying anything of value for Kotkaniemi, if anything at all.

If Laine does get traded to Pittsburgh it'll be his last shot. If he can't get it together with Crosby no one can help him

CBJ pass. No rush to trade Laine, and if we are it’ll be for a commensurate package for a guy you want playing on your top line, and who has still been a .80ppg player on a series of bad CBJ teams.

Not a dump and a 2nd.

He’s been fine in Columbus. He’s been close to a PPG when healthy. He just has freak injuries from dirty plays

CBJ says no, they aren't gong to move him at a low he will be given to at least mid year to turn his value around.

As for Kotkaniemi. No team wants a 3rd liner on a 6 year term.
3rd liners are 2-3 year term max. They become impossible to move and leave teams with no flexibility when it doesn't work out.
CAR would have to pay to move that contract at this point.