Quoting: dopplsan
The problem is Laine has otherwise shown himself to be a top-tier goal-scorer in this league. But if the central point is that “he’s not that good because he had one bad year with Torts,” people think they can run rough-shod and buy him for pennies on the dollar. Re-frame how this trade would have looked two months ago if it were being made with WPG.
Point being, yeah, CBJ ain’t gonna send a first back. Nor a second. And they’d likely even ask for more with all this.
This ain’t calling you out specifically. Just generally frustrating with what I’ve seen from a lot of ACGM - people want to pine on Laine and slot him on their top-line, yet think they can score him for cheap after one bad season under a coach they also concede has under/mis-utilized him.
What Jarmo needs to ask himself is who does he value more?
Laine or Torts?
If he hasn't figured it out by now, he shouldn't be GM of the jackets anymore.
If you bring both Laine and Torts back next season, it would look really odd.
I have a hunch that Jarmo has figured it out well in advance and has a good sense on what is in the best interests of the Jackets.
That means Torts probably gets replaced as head coach once the season is over while Laine gets a qualifying offer of 7.5 million.
If Torts can't get along with Laine after proving he can't get along with PLD, then maybe Torts is the problem in Columbus.
If Laine's goal scoring takes off next season when Torts is gone, it would all but confirm that suspicion.
In that case, I will be more inclined to make a fair trade for Laine as an ACGM on capfriendly than what is seen here.
In Jarmo we trust!