Laine's production could go up with a better C. My understanding is he was straddled with Little for most of last year.
As to your question, if he had a more offensively inclined LWer than Hyman yes I think he would pass more and shoot less. However I don't think the goal difference would be quite as profound because he is by nature a goal scorer as much as McDavid is a natural play maker. Both do the other well but they have their natural inclinations.
Of course it could go the other way if he starts seeing time with Marner. Certainly we expect to see Matthews power play goals to rise. Assuming he and Marner form the first unit this seems inevitable. I doubt they play much even strength together but if they did, Matthews might score more.
All valid points.
IMO, while McDavid could defer more with better wingers... playing with better wingers, more team success, hopefully more offensive D corps and a certain better PP (couldn't be worse that last year... could it?), I foresee 97 with at least as many goals as last but likely a few more.
Time will tell.