I hope we’re aggressive in trying to sign a 1C now. Hell, trade away our #3 pick. Now’s the time to build momentum for the club instead of waiting on a prospect to develop on the cusp of Johnny and Patty to leave.
I think that would be disastrous for the future. Say CBJ traded the #3 pick for Lindholm as rumored - he turns 30 in 18 months and will likely start to drop off, giving Columbus maybe two seasons to be competitive with a #1 C, Laine, and Johnny, as well as removing a #1 C prospect. Given the sad state of the defense and goaltending last season, I don’t think winning a Cup in the next two seasons is realistic, as it takes a while for the defense to develop.
IMO it’s a much better plan to stay put, draft a likely #1 C with the third pick, and develop. Even if Johnny drops off and Laine leaves, there’s Marchenko, KJ, and Jenner that can play top six wing, as well as potential in Dumais, Chinakhov, etc.