AA doesn't have the value of a top ten pick. No way. That said I wouldn't trade him for a mid first.
But value is subjective, That's my biggest problem with most of the trade proposals on hf. Should two top six wingers and a high pick get you a trouba, objectively, probably, but the Jets have a plethora of wingers already so wingers aren't worth as much to them.
AA is fast, he's skilled, he can play all 3 forward positions and he is already one of the fastest skaters in the league in an era where speed is king. And detroit has been a playoff team for 25 years, so thinking for the future is obviously something they're good at, and at this point the speed kills philosophy isn't exactly innovative, but the wings have always been a team that brings a strategy into the next phase of the game, so aa may not be objectively worth a top 10 pick to the league, but he is to the wings.
Especially on a team thats in the middle of turning over their roster. Yeah, they still have kronwall and Zetterberg, but neither of them are half the players they were in their prime, and at this point datsyuk is definitely more than 1/2 of that equation. So trading off kids that have 10years in this league as relatively important pieces (5+ years as impact players, another few added to help teach the new guard winning ways leadership etc.) For less than they are worth to the team is the same thing as plugging one hole and opening another.
Would I take a top 10 pick for aa, if the draft is deep enough yes, but even if it was a historic year, I'd still wonder what if.
AA isn't going to be a superstar, but he definitely has star potential...