He is off to a hot start in the Finnish professional league, and the Oilers are looking to trade him for a veteran defenseman.
Getting back to Laine-Matthews, make no mistake, it is still being debated whether Laine should have been picked number 1. Matthews may be a pure goal scorer but Laine has been developing into a more well rounded player who can score and pass.
You always draft the center first before the winger since wingers are a dime-a-dozen. Just like in the NFL....draft the big QB or the big pass rusher first before the runnings backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers, etc.
Laine has actually regressed. He went from 44 goals two seasons ago to only 30 last season. I don't know where you're getting your news about Laine and Matthews being debated whom should have been picked first but that's the first time i hear about this since their first season in the league.
Many predict that Matthews will score 50 goals in 50 games if he remains healthy. And many have no clue who Laine's season will go since his production has been in decline over the past two seasons. I've always found him to be a bit of a flake, which is why i never would have drafted him first overall.