Yeah I agree that moving to Colorado would also be risky given the circumstances.

But at least in Colorado he'd get to play on a contender.

As for protection, of course Colorado would protect Johnson if they acquired him, why wouldn't they? The earliest that I think he may get moved would be in 2023 with 1 year left on his contract due to Mackinnon/Byram's raises.

- Mackinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, Kadri, Burakovsky, Tyler Johnson, + 1 of Compher/Jost/Nichuskin/Donskoi
- Makar, Graves, Girard (EJ waives)
- Grubauer

man you are passionate about this and Ill admit defeat.

You'd actually protect a guy you'd allegedly pay nothing for?

Also I think DAL and CGY could be potentially just as good destinations for him as COL. DAL is also a close to a contending status and CGY plays for a weak division which gives them a slight edge.

The price to acquire a player like him from a cap-strapped team wouldn't be reflective of his actually quality. He's probably worth protecting over the likes of Donskoi (who we also got "for free" in UFA), Nichuskin (who we signed for free), Jost, and/or Compher.

I don't think Dallas have the capspace to take on $5m in salary without sending any back.

Why is playing in a weaker division attractive? I guess they're likelier to make the playoffs, but that is hardly an advantage compared to teams like Colorado or Dallas who are likely to be contenders for the next couple of years at least.

*In Darth Vader voice*

"Goooood, gooood"



Seriously though, when were the last times players with full NTC's got traded? I'm sure GM's ask often but then players say no and then we never hear about it. Maybe if we were talking about TJ getting moved out of Buffalo it would be likely, but we're talking about a guy playing in a tax-free state and enjoying the sunshine while playing on a contender.

It happens more then you think. 2015 Vallteri Filppula had a FULL NMC with another year on the deal and he waived and was traded. He gave an interview with the local media in Tampa the day he was traded and cleaned out his locker and am I am paraphrasing but he said the following; "Steve came to me and said the team needed to go in another direction and the Toronto Maple Leafs want to take you and Brian Boyle in a deal so are you interesting in going to Toronto. Filppula said he understood its a business and knew his time with the team was done but he refused to go to Toronto. So Yzerman asked me for a list of 5 teams I would be willing to go to. I gave him 5 teams on the East Coast where I felt I could still play a prominent center role. Then Yzerman called me and told me that a team on my list the Flyers wanted me on their team so I waived and now I am leaving. No hard feelings I understand the business and I had a great time here and look forward to my next team"

Then what does Filppula do he goes and re-signs with Yzerman in Detroit so again its a business. I am sure the Lightning can convince one of the NTC players to waive to a team of their liking.

Thanks for digging up a good example, much appreciated.

That said, it's only one example in 5 years..... and there's also a big difference in waiving to get more ice-time when you are in a contract year, compared to when you have financial security with 4 years left.

What it shows to me is that it is a business to these guys and they understand that. If Tampa goes to Johnson and says we are going in another direction would you be opening to moving to another team as the Colorado Avalanche have shown they want you on their team. Johnson is currently playing the 3C in Tampa at 14 minutes a night. So in this scenario with Colorado calling then Johnson has to assess the situation as he knows he is going to a contender with the Avs, he will play 18 minutes a night with more opportunity and the fact that his current team doesn't see him in their future for cap or other reasons why wouldn't he consider moving his NTC for the better opportunity.

Its going to be interesting but I still see the Lightning getting one of their NTC players to waive it for a team of their liking that is willing to take them on. The Bolts are going to have it real tough but if you follow my post history I have said for months now you don't trade or lose your young talent so the Bolts will do whatever they need to keep Cirelli, Sergachev and Cernak.

Your team created lots of conversation. Nice thread.

Cant call the JT Miller trade an overpayment imo.. feels like Tampa got robbed

Who are those "expendable-ish guys they can move instead"?

Keep in mind that they need to open up $10-12m in capspace to sign Cirelli, Sergachev, and Cernak.

Gourde has a higher cap hit than johnson
So does Palat, and Kilorn is close as well

You named guys with NTC's....

At the time, a 1st seemed like an overpay for him

agreed, but Benning had the last laugh

Yeah, Miller worked out taking a big leap forward played on line1 instead of line3

My point was that,
If someone paid a 1st for a 3rd liner from Tampa
Then Tampa isn’t gonna have to pay to get rid of Johnson,
let alone pay a 2nd and a 4th
That’s just laughable

Yeah, Miller worked out taking a big leap forward played on line1 instead of line3

My point was that,
If someone paid a 1st for a 3rd liner from Tampa
Then Tampa isn’t gonna have to pay to get rid of Johnson,
let alone pay a 2nd and a 4th
That’s just laughable

*In Darth Vader voice*

"Goooood, gooood"



Seriously though, when were the last times players with full NTC's got traded? I'm sure GM's ask often but then players say no and then we never hear about it. Maybe if we were talking about TJ getting moved out of Buffalo it would be likely, but we're talking about a guy playing in a tax-free state and enjoying the sunshine while playing on a contender.