According to the Bill Scott of NHLTradeRumor, there is a rumored trade circulating around involving the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The speculated deal involves the following

Pittsburgh sends to Columbus:
Reilly Smith
Kasper Björkqvist
Filip Hallander
2026 first-round pick

Columbus sends to Pittsburgh:
Patrik Laine

Oh boy. Where to start.

Smith makes $5M for the 24-25 season. The Vegas cup winner had 40 points in 76 games played in his first year with Pittsburgh. Björkqvist, 26, has been in LIGA the last two years. He only has 6 career NHL games in 2022. Hallander, 23, has 3 NHL games and played in the SHL, and his rights are with Pitt.

Laine has 2 years left at $8.7M on his deal with a modified no trade clause. Laine has never played a full 82 game season in Ohio. Injuries and the assistance program are part of why.

The 26 first round confuses me for a team that is on the fringe of being a rebuilder. I don’t see how this even advances beyond just a rumor for clicks.

Where do you stand?

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