Texier is definitely expendable, but I'm gonna be so bummed if he isn't on the team next year. I haven't felt really high on a young guy's breakout potential like this since Josh Anderson. Although Anderson did completely flop the year we all thought he was going to break out so who knows.

On the Chychrun front, two sources today told me the #CBJ and #Yotes are talking. Combine that w/ GM Jarmo Kekalainen saying the 12th overall pick could potentially be used to acquire a 'young NHL player' with term left ... and maybe we've got something brewing?

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) July 5, 2022

from a competing standpoint I would take this, maybe we get like a 3rd or 4th back than just for 1 piece.
Although I'd hope they flip Tex to Montreal or somewhere other than a college campus in the desert

I wasn't disputing the rumour. Just saying I'll be bummed if Texier is gone.

Yeah makes sense . But gotta think a few of the middle 6 guys are packaged for upgrades. You guys seem to have a logjam between line 2 and 3 right now

Yeah he's probably the most logical guy to include. Could see them being able to keep him though if they include Boqvist with 12th instead of Bean. Very excited to see if Jarmo can get this done.

I wonder who they’re aiming to draft. If I had to guess, probably Jiricek or Gauthier which Jiricek being first choice

Is jarmo on drugs? What a horrible idea.

Jarmo also mentioned that if he doesn't like who's available at 6 then he will consider a trade back. There's someone in the top 6 he isn't high on. It's either Gauthier or Nemec by my guess.

If we're trading 12, a trade back from 6 that includes 10-16 and another top 50 pick could be a good look.

Explain

I would definitely make this move if I’m jarmo.

Columbus should be using that pick to build. Not blowing assets on a Dman they don't need.

I’d make it just to see Chychrun and Peeke play together or see Werenski and Chychrun together.

Who told u they don’t need him? They absolutely need him

Both options work. He plays both sides

Or maybe to drive up the price on the team holding the 13th pick…?

A top pairing dman is exactly what they need though and Chychrun is capable of playing RD. He's also the same age as Laine and Werenski so he perfectly fits their contending window.

I don’t remember where I saw this but I was mentioned Isles should prioritize elite forwards over another Dman right now

Chychrun is capable of playing the right side but not as well. But like I stated, a Dman they don't need. An over priced one at that.

Laine is gone and werenski is signed for 6 more years. With columbus' centre depth they would be lucky to be a contender before chychrun's deal expires. Especially after moving out those assets.

It is a short sighted move for a team that is just getting back on track after they mortgaged the future last time.

Laine is signing longterm. Who the heck told u he’s gone

Ah I see. In your fictional world everything is as negative as it possibly can be.

They absolutely do not. This trade probably puts the playoffs and Bedard equally out of reach.

Laine is gone, goaltending has been shakey. Young centres that aren't quite ready yet. A young goalie who isn't ready yet.

They have some great pieces but they aren't ready yet.

Rumours are he won't sign long term. He wants out. From what I've heard anyway. If they can convince him to stay it makes a bit more sense but I still think this team misses the playoffs.

It's not negative at all. They have some great pieces. I wouldn't be selling the future just yet.

There’s 0 chance Columbus is bad enough to be bottom 5 , I don’t even think they’re bottom 10