Laine will do some skating exercises when they think that his physical training is mostly done at the more excessive level and he can efficiently gain something from doing the skating training. If you are doing very hard muscle training it’s really not too useful to do at the same time technique based training, as your body and nerval system is going through a lot of changes and trying to learn the techniques in that kind of time is not efficient at all and leads to mostly wasting the time you invest into that kind of training. The time can be better used for maximizing the explosive strength and stamina training. Which both Laine has still a huge workload ahead of him. I would say AT LEAST two full off season, or maybe even three.I think we're exactly on the same page here.
And I'm not questioning wether Laine should train with Rautala or not. I know some guys think of him as some kind of a guru here in Finland. He's probably accurately described with wording "high end physique and strength trainer". He has experience about hockey players summer training since -77 and consistent NHL players summer training since -95. I have no question wether or not he knows how to build up muscle strength, explosiveness and cardio. He's got the credentials to show he knows what he's doing.
Thing is, he's not a hockey trainer. Yes, he also trains hockey players but he's not a hockey trainer. For example, he can't and won't teach his trainees any skating techniques. He can implement training methods that support skating. Focusing on muscle training that helps lateral movement or straight line explosiveness. But it doesn't improve Laine's skating techniques.
It's odd to me how often people here talk about Laine's body developing but completely ignore that as it develops he needs to get used to it. It's like Formula 1 driver getting a new car each season. Yeah they are sort of same as the last season one but still different. Engineers can teach them all the nuances and gadgets of the car. But it does no good unless the driver gets familiar with his new car. Similar kind of acceleration from corner B as last season is now sending the car head first to tire-wall. Laine is getting a new body each season. He has to get used to it. Only way it can be done is by taking it out for a lap time and time again.
Anyway, Laine is a smart kid and he takes advice only from people whom really know what they are doing. I at least trust 100% his and his advisors approaches to his training and development.