STL rejects, they need to shed salary, not take in more salary

You are missing the top 4 and the 3rd scoring line here.

DeSmith, Johnson ($500K ret) for Russell

Pittsburgh says no. Not that JOhnson is good, but he is better than Russell. Pittsburgh is not going to pay (DeSmith) and retain to make this deal.

Pittsburgh counters with Johnson and a 5th for Russell, then you could probably haggle to Johnson and a 4th.

(but in the long run I do not expect Johnson to be traded, the coaches actually like him)

I think Ottawa would rather just keep Brown.

I don’t like the Pittsburgh trade, Russell is better then Johnson! And I rather play Jones then Johnson.

Blues laugh and hang up.

I think you are missing the whole contract length which heavily pushes the value to Russell > Johnson. I bet 95% of CF people would take Russell for 1 year then Johnson at 3 with current salaries. No way a 4th or 5th covers that alone

If you remove the retention for Jack Johnson I give it to you.

It has to be on the condition that Russel waive his trade clauses though upon joining the penguins.

OTT:

Lagesson would be the the the 6th best LHD in the ottawa system.
Benning is not good.
We have 6 seconds in the next 2 years. a 2022 2nd round pick isnt moving the needle.

Swap Lagesson for Puljujarvi and youve got a deal.

I’d do that deal.

Johnson has two more years but Russell is $750K higher hit as is. Retaining $500K on Johnson when taking Russel makes no sense for the Pens. Adding DeSmith is just crazy talk.

As I mentioned, the Pens coaches actually like Johnson. He gets nearly 20 minutes a game, he is not protected or sheltered. They are not going to pay through the nose to move him. And yes, DeSmith, $500K ret, and taking the worse Russell and his $4M cap hit is paying through the nose.

I'm not arguing for the trade above just that your value for Russell vs Johnson with current terms is also way off. Plus only reason Johnson was getting near 20 minutes was because Dumoulin was injured for over 3 months any time Dumoulin was healthy Johnsons minutes drop heavily.

what in the hell