Doesn't really make much sense to me. I could see Hertl wanting to go CBJ, but can't envision why Laine would want to go to SJ nor why SJ has any need for him.

As a jackets fan I’d do it

CBJ does this, not SJ

i would rather have the shorter term on laine and potentially move him than pay hertl until he is 37

the more i think about it, the more i question this answer^

Now that's actually an interesting idea. My gut tells me we don't want any part of the Hertl contract, but my head says he's probably the best of the potentially available centers, and flipping Laine for a position of need could make some sense.

I think we'd be selling low on Laine, but he also hasn't given a lot of indication that he'll be able to get back to his high. If Hertl is open to waiving for Columbus...I think I'd take that. Definitely no retention either way, and maybe a peripheral prospect or pick to one side or the other, but it makes some good sense as a hockey trade.

This really doesn't help the Sharks. Makes them worse.
Also, they're going to have cap space open up by default as so many contracts come off the books.

I think this move makes 100% sense for CBJ. You're kind of stuck already with a not great contract. As you stated the issue with finding centers is a real issue and honestly, he may be a perfect player to mentor Fantilli. Hertl's contract definitely isn't great, but when you look at how much the cap is about to start going up every year, it really won't be much of an issue going forward.

From an outsider, the issues with Laine is health and consistency. When on, he's a lethal player, but when he's not well... it's not great. If this made sense to SJ I think this is a fairly ideal situation for you guys. It's hard to find situations where you can move players making as much of them without it being super complicated.

Feels like a situation for a three-way trade where someone else gets Laine, maybe half retained or something by the Sharks, at the cost of a first and maybe some prospects to San Jose?

It would help SJS tank. Laine would be more moveable than Hertl in a year or two, especially with retention and if he regains form, which surely he will to some degree.

CBJ really need a top center and Hertl is two-way responsible so he’d be a good fit. I really like the idea and think CBJ could throw in a prospect as well, or Boqvist.

I know but it could really be the start of something new. I dont wanna trade Tommy, but we could probably flip Laine for better assets than hertl is all I was thinking

prolly not boqvist since we are so loaded (numerically not talent wise) but that was my idea

Laine is downtrending and Hertl is carrying a bottom cellar team. Not sure how much assets we could get on either considering contract amounts/term.

Who knows.