I really just can’t see the islanders getting laine without giving up Dobson. I know islanders fans have told me they wouldn’t do that 1for1 but I don’t see Winnipeg settling for anything else that’s reasonable.

You don’t give up a prospect like Dobson for a one dimensional player like Laine. I know he’s a legit goal scorer, but that’s all he is. Dobson is a blue chip, can’t miss possible #1 defenseman who plays an excellent game on both sides of the puck. You especially don’t trade Dobson for a player like Laine when you can just OS him for just under the 4 1sts level and force WPG to make a tough decision.

Wahlstrom perhaps? As one dimensional as Laine might be, he is still a highly skilled goalscorer. If all it took is an offer sheet below the 4 1st's level then why haven't other teams done that for Marner or Tkachuk or Point?

I’d have to seriously consider Wahlstrom in a trade for Laine, since Laine is what you hope Wahlstrom turns into. As for the OS, none of those other guys have shown a desire to sign an OS yet... all reports indicate Laine would be willing to, as it appears he wants out of WPG.

I see what you mean, it'd be a trade of potential versus (semi) established. I hadn't heard that he would be open to signing an offer sheet though... Very interesting

Nothing has specifically stated he would be, at least not that I’ve seen anyway. I’m just saying, based on the reports that have come out over the past few days... of the RFAs left unsigned, he’s the one I see as most likely open to signing one.

no way trading laine for Wahlstrom and even dobson 1 on 1... if nyi wants him they have to add big time..... otherwise wpg will just keep him,

chill, dobson is a solid prospect but if you are getting Laine straight up its a no brainer.

It's a no brainer to say NO, absolutely. Besides, it wouldn't be a 1 for 1, the original comment that spawned the discussion was that a package for Laine STARTS with Dobson. And Dobson is more than a SOLID prospect, he's the kind of prospect you build a team around. His ceiling is a #1 Defenseman who plays both sides of the puck incredibly well, not to mention he can play PP and PK (I think). He's Pulock, probably a little better.... Would you trade Pulock straight up for Laine? I sure as hell wouldn't... not when the ONLY thing Laine brings is goals... nothing else. We can get someone who does that for much cheaper than giving up Dobson.

It wouldn't be 1 for 1, the conversation was about a package built around Dobson initially and then switched into one built around Wahlstrom. I realize pieces would need to be added, but my argument was I'm not trading Dobson in a package for Laine, a package built around Wahlstrom I can get behind, depending on the other pieces.