2. Trade for Tyler Johnson
We knew the Lightning were going to have to get crafty with their salary cap. I mentioned Tyler Johnson as one guy who general manager Julien BriseBois may have to approach him about lifting his no-movement clause. He was placed on waivers and went unclaimed.
Now the Lightning have the difficult task of trying to find a home for him. The 30-year-old still has four years left on his deal at a $5M cap hit each year. And while he’s listed as a center, he spent the majority of last season on the right-wing with a few games sprinkled in at center and left-wing.
I suppose two questions that stem from this. What would it take to acquire Johnson, and what is the ripple effect for the prospect pool? Four years is a lot to commit to a team that doesn’t figure to be competitive, or at the very least, may sniff a Wild Card spot next year.
Pierre LeBrun also makes a great point that Johnson’s cash salary next year is $3.75M, and he could be left unprotected for Seattle to take him on.
One thing to consider for teams regarding Tyler Johnson: his cap hit is $5M but his actual cash salary next season is $3.75M.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 10, 2020
Leave him unprotected in the expansion draft next summer. Would Ron Francis be enticed in the Spokane native? If so, a team rents out TJ for one year?
Johnson scored 14 goals with 17 assists during the regular season to go along with 4 goals and 3 assists in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Lightning are expected to re-sign both Pat Maroon and Luke Schenn. They also have restricted free agent Mikhail Sergachev to protect from teams that could sign him to an offer sheet deal that Tampa can’t match.
Tyler Johnson could be a solid addition along the team’s third line, potentially shifting Jeff Carter to the fourth line as his play continues to decline…although injuries and age are likely playing a huge factor.