Quoting: tsyls
It doesn’t matter. Moving him now as is, is worse than padding his stats and moving him. His value is low right now due to the fact that he “wants out” let him score and build his value. I agree the writing is likely on the wall, just maybe not the right choice to force a trade. Also the trade you proposed is quantity over quality. I like Danault but we have perfetti coming up, Tatar is aging and it’s likely his next deal will be an overpayment. Jets need to move laine for a top prospect + top 4 dman. Chevy is being patient, he’s treating the situation right. Laine won’t be moved unless it’s exactly what they want.
If Chevy wants a right now top 4 dman, then the Habs aren't a fit. With that said, I don't really know who across the league is prepared to give up a top 4 D that you'd actually be willing to consider in return for Laine. Keep in mind that Winnipeg could have had Nate Schmidt for a 2022 3rd round pick (expected value more than Vancouver's pick) but you weren't interested, so I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't actually what Chevy was interested in right now.
Also, it's hard to argue that Danault (6th in Selke voting last year) isn't quality. Consistent 20-25 goal scorers like Tatar don't grow on trees either. And two players with the chemistry that they have together is even rarer.
Laine's value isn't "low" right now. If he's forced to play out the last year of his deal, and he's unhappy about it, it's not inconceivable that we'd be actively watching his trade value fall further if he puts up "only" a 30 ish goal season (or less) this year, at the same time as starting to complain more openly...