Quoting: SevenLeg
I think it's solid for both sides. JVR is constant in terms of production and so is Johnson defensively. Niskanen is a UFA at the end of next season and Braun at the end of this season. JVR's cap hit is high and there's no way PHI trades him without getting a similar cap hit in return since the cap is probably staying flat.
Oh, I certainly agree with the reasoning, but PHI has a relatively young defense with plenty of prospects, (Zamula, Hogberg and Wylie in AHL this season) and Cam York, Attard, a bunch of others following behind. Due to Johnsons age/salary and contract length, I;m not sure Niskanen's UFA status and probable departure would mean Johnson moves up the depth chart at 6mil. So with little other movement, Johnson probably stays on 3rd pairing.
The cap being a year to year task, adding Johnson in 20-21 doesn't help, and with expansion coming and Philly probably protecting Myers, Sanheim and Provorov, they'd probably use their money on a 1 year UFA RD in 2020-21.
The player's value is pretty even, just not sure the need of each team of those players is even. Outside of any other moves, Philly currently has seven capable dmen, with only Braun likely to move, so without Philly moving Gotisbehere, the need for Johnson isn't that high. (Now if you offered Girard for JVR and a pick/prospect/etc... that might get interesting).