Uhh how does this help Columbus?

DeBrincat++ is required in a Panarin to Chicago deal, no exceptions.

I know this is going to come out of left field but smart teams will not a pay a premium for Panarin now. He's already a pending UFA. He's already made it pretty clear he would rather go to a big city market in free agency. Why make that trade now when CLB has more leverage? Simply wait till the TDL when his value will be brought down due to the fact that CLB will have to either keep him and lose him for nothing or trade him knowing he won't stay at seasons end.

Obviously one GM will probably break and spend too much because they want to have that extra firepower for the start of the season but realistically, Schmaltz may end up being not that far away from Panarin's point totals this year and Sikura comes in and pulls a Debrincat, you're now paying more for Panarin for less production then you would of got from the two youngsters.

And this isn't to take anything away from Panarin. He's lights out good. This has more to do with not giving in to quick fixes and playing the odds while looking long term. especially when Columbus's leverage in any Panarin deal is fleeting by the day. If they are dead set on trying to win a cup this year, they can keep him but if they aren't 100% absolutely sure, they have to get value for him now or else he ends up like the Isles...