Hamilton + Necas for Laine?
If that’s the best deal on the table, I’m keeping Laine.
For the next 3 years, RW looks horrendous. Then, in year 3, Wheeler is 37 and aged out, and Quinn (if that’s the pick) might be a regular NHL player by then. Maybe. But likely not a ppg player Laine is right now.
Hamilton would be on his 4th team, and Necas is unproven. I hope Chevy never reads these threads or gets any crazy ideas like what is posted.
I don't think you build a championship team from RW out though. Defense wins championships. Centre should always be a position of strength if you want to go anywhere. Frankly Hamilton was nearly a PPG player this season. The PP would take off with him, as we have seen the downturn of no Buff. And none of the forwards can make up for that on their own, because it's easier to play us, without a true #1 pointman. For all we know Ehlers could be the 2RW without Laine. Harkins could grow up the lineup if Roslovic didn't.
Necas I don't see being on the block at all, the Canes have a nice #2 centre insulated, with Trochek, and Staal, who is likely gone due to economics and a change in the guard. But if we did go for him, he would be a young centre, who has rising potential.
Chevy knows he has to upgrade on defense. I think there is potential internally if we develop Morrissey-Heinola, Samberg-Pionk as a top 4. Heinola might be our Shea Theodore type. That's probably not until 2021-22 though. And by that time Laine will be at the crossrooads, the same crossroads we came to with Trouba. Do we invest in him as our horse, and does he want to be a Winnipeg Jets long term? No one has those answers, but it's what is on the horizon.
I don't see this being an offseason with alot of movement. Some teams will have to make Cap dumps. Some teams will be aggressive to improve (Hawks/Kings/Sharks/Canadiens come to mind). But mostly I think players will probably stay where they were, given the uncertainty of the future. And Winnipeg is still going to be a hard sell for free agents, that's why I don't expect miracles. Hammer will take less to play here, I think, that makes him someone worth considering, especially with the lack of toughness we had in the playoffs.