But isn't something equivalent to that going to be the price for Laine? Maybe WPG won't desire Nino, but you somehow have to open a hole for Laine in the lineup, both in terms of roster structure and salary. I suppose it could be a second defenseman instead of Nino, but then you're sliding one of Dzingel, Nino, Svech, or TT down to the third line...not to mention a kid like Gauthier trying to carve a spot out for himself. You've merely created for your forward group much of the same problem you were trying to fix with Faulk in the group of defensemen. And this doesn't even dip into how problematic it is to essentially define the core of your team for years without allowing it establish itself organically. All these awesome prospects ripening, young players creating the beginnings of organizational success, then you trade away roster players to bring in one guy and cement him into your lineup. Sure, it might work.
Putting the Faulk luxury aside, the Hurricanes don't currently have a problem they are trying to solve. Attempting to weed out that small problem by uprooting a small portion of the flower bed isn't wise.
Tellin' ya: Faulk for darts. Maybe non-first ones, but picks.
Addendum thought: how many times do we on HFBoards shut down potential trades because there *has* to be a (particular-positioned) roster player coming in return? We have a luxury with the Faulk situation in that we don't need anything. Darts are easy for your trade partner to give up, and we love playing darts.
