How to maximise Johansson return

Sheary went for a 4th conditional up to a 3rd with better numbers and no injury history

Yeah, that Evander Kane method would maybe have a better chance to work if Johansson were even a tad closer as a player than Kane is. Which he definitely is not.

NJ acquired him for 2nd and 3rd, if I recall correctly. You could probably get the same return back from WSH, if you
a) retain half of his salary
b) add a d to the trade (Mueller for example)
c) take a unnecessary contract from WSH (Jaskin for example)

Mojo(50% retained)+Mueller for Jaskin+2nd+3rd seems fair to me at least.

Imagine thinking Marcus Johansson was remotely close to half the player Evander Kane is.

I agree with all that except trading Mueller; Devils traded a 2nd and 3rd for him too, but he under team control and is a RFA next year.

The Devils have all kinds of space, any trade would certainly include 50% retention.