Quoting: tsyls
Wilde had a mediocre year last year, it’s his make it or break it year this year.
I do agree that wahlstrom is a top prospect but you gotta realize that laine does the hardest thing in the NHL so easy. Imagine him with a defensive minded coach like trotz?? He’d develop his defensive side of the game so fast. He scored 18 goals in one month, if he develops some consistency and developed his defensive side of the game he could be a perennial 50+ goal scorer and be half decent in his own zone with trotz. If a team wants to trade for laine, they’re gonna have to give up a top prospect and top 4 dman at least. Laines ceiling is so high.
Wilde had a down year the year in 17-18 (before he was drafted), which is why he slipped to the 2nd round, when most had him going in the Top 15 of the 1st round. He had an excellent year last year in the OHL (70pts) in 62 games in his first year of professional hockey. He's considered, by many, to be the biggest steal of the 2018 draft... so not sure where you are getting that he had a "mediocre" year last year??
As for Laine, I get what you're saying, but Laine has shown NO inclination to learn the D side of his game. Trotz was able to get Ovie to become a more defensive player, so I would argue he can do the same with Laine... IF Laine is willing. You just don't trade a blue chip prospect or a #1 D for someone who, as you put it "if he develops (this) or (that)...".
I want Laine on the Isles and I think he's a piece that could put them over the top, but I'm not sacrificing our D to get him. Pulock became out #1 D-man last year and is on his way to becoming Trouba-esque, I'm not trading him for Laine under any circumstances. Dobson has a real chance to make the Isles this coming season, just a year after being drafted and could be better than Pulock in the long run... Him being on an ELC is something the Isles are going to need as they wait for contracts like Ladd/Boychuk/Etc to expire... again, not trading that for Laine.
The package of Leddy (Top 4 Dman), Wahlstrom and Wilde (2 TOP Prospects) and a 1st is enough. In fact, if I'm being honest, it's almost too much to give up. Leddy, one of Wahlstrom/Wilde, a lesser prospect and a 2020 1st should be enough, imo.