As a Kings fan, I certainly think the Kings would be interested in getting another 1st rounder this year and could eat JJ's salary at the right price. I don't think you're giving enough to warrant bringing a top-4 defenseman back with retained salary, though. The first rounder is the cost of adding JJ to any trade. Now you need to figure out what DF would cost with retained salary. I think a B+ forward prospect that is expansion draft exempt OR a second rounder added onto the 1st rounder would be enough to get it done.

Counter trade. Derek Forbort at 1.25mil retained for JJ, 2020 1st, and Filip Hallander.

I think that’s too much. I think you’re basic Johnson’s value off of the Marleau deal which I don’t think is a fair comparison.

Marleau’s buyout cost the Hurricanes over $6 mil in cap space in a year where they’re trying to put a competitive team on the ice which is why the Leafs has to give up a 1st rounder.

The Kings have very good young players but I still don’t think they make the playoffs this year so they can afford Johnson’s contract which is almost half what Marleau’s is and the length shouldn’t matter since the Kings probably won’t be competitive during the year or two they have him before they buy him out.

I think if the Kings gave up nothing in return the Penguins would have to give up a 2nd to get rid of Johnson’s deal. Plus take into account that the Penguins would only get Forbort for one year. I think it’s a pretty fair trade but that’s just me

I am loosely basing it off of the Marleau trade, yes, because that's the only real standard that is out there right now. A significant difference that you aren't highlighting is that while yes, Marleau's cost $6million, it was only for a single year. Johnson's will be $3.25 million per year for the next 4 years. While the Kings are not looking to be competitive now, they most definitely will be looking to compete in 2021 and beyond. That's still two years of Johnson's contract to be bought out that will effect how the Kings manage the cap with new players starting to get new contracts. So I disagree with Pens fans that think it will only cost a second to move Johnson. No team will take Johnson for a pick somewhere in the mid 40's-low 50's. It's going to need to be the 1st rounder, as Pitt will most likely make the playoffs.

In addition, your second point only looks at the side of the team receiving Johnson/Marleau. Toronto paid that price just as much because THEY were the ones trying to put a competitive team on the ice as well, and need the space for Marner, etc. Pittsburgh would be doing the same, as well as receiving the better player in the trade. On top of that, you want retention on the player.

Pittsburgh has no leverage in a trade like this, as they need to get rid of JJ more than the Kings are desperate to get another first. It would be nice, but in the end it would be a luxury since the Kings have such a great prospect pool already. Kings say that you need to find a different trade partner if you aren't willing to up what you're offering.

Ive been trading him w/ a 3rd or 4th and a prospect depending on whats coming back.... but I think u are right on here on what it takes bc this way we still get back a solid guy too

This is a disaster in the waiting the next year. 2 defenders gone, 2 RFA forwards due,
Galchenyuk a UFA
and Murray is due a contract.
Not much cap space.
What a cluster FFFFFFFFFFFFFFudge.
No way they do this.

no leverage........dude when you are trading defense you have leverage.
Teams always need defense. They take a beating and are always injured.

Doesnt Forgot have even worse Stats than JJ... Not really a top 4

Who cares? They’d have a great team for this year