What rumours? The only ones I've seen are that both sides are discussing a long term commitment and are simply haggling on money/term. Everyone who is actually a part of the negotiation has said that a long term contract is the most preferable option.

They weren't even bottom 10 this past season with that dreadful defense and shaky goaltending.

Bedard is already out of reach since they weren't even bad enough to get into the bottom 11 when they had everything going against them last year.

Nothing indicates Laine is gone.

Goaltending was shaky because the starting goalie was suffering from PTSD and the backup was playing with a torn hip all year. Elvis was back into excellent form by the end of the year.

Do you know literally anything about the CBJ?

And multiple tragedies and massive injury trouble.

If Laine walks And they don't go after chychrun I think they could end up with a nice pick. I'm just saying they are somewhere in the middle of 1-16. And hell you never know. I think Columbus is right about where the ducks were last season.

everyone projected bottom 5 or at least bottom of metro for them this year, and until about the first week of April they we always the first spot out of the wildcard. They also started the year 12-6.
Their biggest problem... lack of defense but according to him they should just sit back and bank on the uncertain future of even more draft picks instead of getting an already developed top line D

Columbus has been lottery eligible 15 times and have moved up once, 4th to 3rd. Never won 1st overall. I don't feel comfortable at all wishing for lottery luck

The Isles absolutely need to add a top-4 defenseman this summer. Salo may be ready to take LD3 duties, but I would personally would prioritize solidifying the LD2 spot. The Isles could still chase improvements at forward (especially if Gaudreau/Forsberg hit the market). But the UFA market for defense is pretty barren

I get that. But chychrun doesn't fix the jackets in my opinion. Being a bit more thrifty would pay off more. Chychrun's numbers were down even with his QOC way down. He had injury issues so it's possible that was it and he'll bounce back. Yotes just seem to be demanding a lot.

This would be the part where I stopped taking you seriously.

Why? It's well reported that the contract talks are not going well. The rumours are floating around that he wants out and if he is signing in Columbus it's short term. Things can change. But if that's the issue you have to deal him.