Rumor: Wild trade offer would see Leafs acquire Laine in blockbuster deal

In an effort to free up two players seeking relocation this summer, the staff at Maple Leafs Daily are reporting on a wild trade rumor that would see the Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Finnish sniper Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a package deal.

Of course, we know that Laine has requested a trade from CBJ GM Don Waddell, but as fate would have it Leafs forward Nick Robertson has also requested a trade out of Toronto. Mike Armenti of Maple Leafs Daily reports that a trade centered around Laine and Robertson could work out well for both sides. The Leafs, of course, though would need to sweeten the deal in order to land Laine, a former 2nd overall pick with superstar potential.

In the proposed deal the Leafs would send Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf and their 2026 1st round pick in exchange for Laine and a 2026 2nd round pick. Armenti also reports that the Blue Jackets would have to retain $4.4 million (50%) of Laine's contract to make the deal happen.

Check it out:

Hmmmm...

Let's get real here for a moment...

Robertson is a fine young player, no doubt. Could he develop into a star player? Maybe... then again, maybe not. He has shown flashes of skill, but he certainly hasn't established himself as a regular NHLer year and he's already 22 years old. Jarnkrok and Kampf are depth pieces, even on a team like Columbus. The 1st round pick isn't until 2026.

In exchange for a B-level prospect, two depth forwards and a 1st round pick in two years the Leafs are going to get a potential 40+ goal scorer and a 2nd round pick?

I mean... c'mon.

The picks in this deal are silly to me, Columbus would jump up maybe, maaaaaybe 15 spots with this swap? And the prize of the deal is Robertson? A guy who can't even stay in the lineup? 

C'mon...

Maybe I'm out to lunch, maybe I'm overvaluing Laine in this deal but I can't ever see a veteran GM like Waddell agreeing to such a lopsided trade.

The fact of the matter is that if you want to acquire something of value, you need to trade something of equal or greater value. This isn't EA Sports NHL 24... back to the drawing board Maple Leafs Daily.