Keeping the group together

Zero chance EJ waives to go to Detroit.

Thought so. Replace them with any team with the cap for him, Detroit was more just a placeholder.

That's the problem though, Detroit isn't the blocker per se. I can't see Johnson waiving his NMC to go to any team that could take him on. Colorado's best bet is to sit down with him and convince him to LTIRetire.

Detroit have absolutely no use for Johnson and you'd have to pay much much more for us to take him off your hands.

Compare this with the Staal deal.

Staal was a LD which we needed - Johnson is a RD and we have 4 good ones.
Staal was one year - Johnson is two years.
Staal's salary was $3.2 million - Johnson's is $12 million

Staal netted a 2nd round pick.

For this to be considered you'd have to offer a 1st + two 2nds to even come close to the value Staal had for Detroit.

Always love titles like 'keeping the group together' with multiple trades and UFA signings where 30% of the team is different lol