Quoting: Ansabch12
Hes one year removed from Hart contention, he is not just a top 6 forward. Its hard to place him because he didnt have a great season but you seem to value Laine pretty highly and you gotta remember one year ago he had an awful season, Johnny will have the same type of resurgence this year. Gaudreau is one of the best LW's in the league so you have to add someone you wouldn't ever part with to get a Gaudreau trade to work, if that makes sense.
I value Laine higher than JG because of his age, I agree they are similar in terms of production and skill. A fair Laine deal for me is a top 6 forward or top 4 defender, a 1st, and a top prospect, and MAYBE a role player.
My understanding is that they want to move JG because of his playoff performances. Yes his value goes up if he starts to perform there, but if he performs there he stays in CAL. If he continues to score at the same pace and has a bad playoff, his value is less given his term.
I don't think its a value issue, but an issue of whether the team wants to give him up. I think they would take a 85% replacement plus a top pick or prospect if they want to move on from him.