Absolutely. Mantha is under contract this year and isn't going to command nearly what Laine will.
We have to pay Dahlin in a few years. We probably need to pay Sam and Casey if they stick around. And if some of these other players work out we'll need to pay them too.
I just don't see how Laine fits here contract wise.
I don't want Kyle Okposo Redux.
I think Laine's contract status suppresses his trade value. It would be one thing if he was signed and we knew what he was going to cost.
Winnipeg isn't going to get as much as they'd like to for him given that he's not even under contract to play this season yet.
So I think "unrealistic" trade proposals for Laine get a little leeway because of the uncertainty involved in this scenario.
Any Laine trade discussion really needs to include his expected contract.
Who here wants Laine at 8 x $10mil right now?