I wouldn’t mind a move like this

I'd be okay with this as long as the retention is substantial.

I think u may have to add something with ullmark. laine is still and elite talent and is only 26 and ullmark has to be resigned. Its a very strong start to a move like this imo and i think if cbj want to be competing soon it could help by giving them a goalie to backstop them while elvis gets moved and the young players grow and u would think they have a plan for a goalie in a few years while ullmark starts to drop off in about 4ish years.

The injuries, recent production, and player assistance program should all be a consideration here. I view Ullmark for Laine with 2.2 to 2.7M of retention as fair and equitable trade for both sides. Frankly I think it’s about as good a fit as I can see with filling needs from a strengths on both sides

The only thing I’m uncertain about is when can Laine be formally traded?

I mean it doesnt matter what you value him at, it matters what the 15 other teams calling CBJ value him at and i can promise u the only way they take that deal is if ullmark comes with a team friendly extension or u add more.
his whole career hes been just slightly under a point per game even spending half that time on the awful CBJ. hes easily an elite talent and at worst a top 6 player who can score and play PP1 time.
Player assistance program just wont play much of a part. when he gets traded he will play next year. even if he sits for a bit at the start that doesnt drop his value at all. if u want to buy low for a top 6 winger who can easily play first line mins go call Tor for marner, if not u cant really buy that low on a player whos going to be getting bid for.

I don’t believe 15 teams are calling and Ullmark is a wonderful swap piece here. .

vegas tampa min, nyi, rangers, edm, ott, pit, wpg, col, dal, tor, (nj maybe?) fla, boston, seattle, car, van, nash, det hell, chic and utch will probably check in.
while they may not all make offers u best believe the jackets will leak to every reporter who is calling and how many teams to drive up his price more. if they take any retention on him hes going to get a very solid return. ullmark is a good piece and depending how they view themselves it could be a good start but if ur gonna tell me van, nsh, car, dal, col, pit, nyi, nyr, bos and vegas arent going to all be making offers i dont think anything outside of watching the games is for u my friend. the package they want all depends on what they see themselves as. if they think they can make the playoffs then ullmark +geeke/boqvist +mid pick is the package that would land him. if not another team will gladly get a elite goal scorer with 2 years left for pennies on what his value will be after a return to form on a good team with good teammates.

I’d rather sign Heinen and another RW option for the money you’re allocating to Laine. But if this is the lineup, I’m swapping Coyle and Poitras and playing Boqvist over Lauko.

It doesn’t matter because ultimately he is an 8.7M asset coming off a poor year. I believe he has value or I wouldn’t be tossing the reigning Vezina award winner for him. Between the injury risk and the down play, I believe this is close to equal value.

The few Columbus fans who have chimed in seem to agree