Cap space is another key consideration. It can be weaponized in a variety of ways. If the Jets don't see themselves as a Cup contender this season, I could see various ways that they could restructure their roster and cap situation with a trade of Connor and/or Laine.
I really think the Buff situation might play into it. If Buff ends up missing a lot or all of this season, I could see the Jets using this season to retool and restructure things, get a good haul in next season's draft, and continuing to build around a nice young core for an extended competitive window.
I don't see doing it with Connor, though maybe. But Laine to Habs for Domi and Brook would interest me. Domi eats up a piece of the cap saved but he gives us a 2nd top 6 C. Even if you are in the "Little is still a good 2C" camp, you have to recognize that he won't be for much longer.
I would rather have Kotkaniemi than Domi but I think it would be a lot harder to pry him out of Montreal and if we got him we would need to take some cap back somewhere else. I would take back Alzner if it meant getting KK + Brook, but I don't think Habs would do that. We would probably have to buy out Alzner.
I've been thinking about our situation at C quite a bit lately and I've concluded that it is a greater need than even 1RHD. I started just by considering where we would be if we were contending or entering the PO and lost Scheifele for an extended period. I don't think Wheeler is an option beyond a short absence of Scheifele. Little is less and less a 2C all the time and just not adequate at all as a 1C. Copp + Lowry give us pretty good depth and 4C's are not hard to find at any time. But I think we badly need another top 6 C.
I don't mean just as insurance in case Scheif gets hurt. It was just thinking of it that way brought it into focus. A young 1b or even potential 1a centre would be my first requirement in a Laine trade.
I'm not sure how Buff's absence affects that calculation. We know we need a 1RHD going forward but I don't think it is as critical as strength at C. Certainly missing Buff for a large part of this season would be a blow but D help is on the way. So we could live with taking this as a reloading year if we are without Buff.