Quoting: CaseOfTastykakes
If JVR and Johansen put up similar numbers why would the Flyers want that extra $1m and add another 2 years. Unless you're betting on Johansen rebounding to his previous numbers. And if that's the case, putting him at 3rd line center doesn't exactly set him up for success.
If Patrick is in fact healthy, he's perfect for a 3C. You can see what he has and it gives Frost another year of development. Worse case you find out Patrick isn't healthy and Frost isn't quite what we thought he is, then you can go out and get a 3C in the 2021 offseason knowing those two just haven't panned out. Worse case scenario with Johansen is he's your above average center making $8m per season until 2025.
To be fair Johansen is the best player, who is coming off a down year. Is 5 yrs at 8mil a good move, probably not, but Johansen could play 1RW with coots and Giroux and safeguard over reliance on Frost, who could play 3C with Voracek and Farabee.
Its a move shown above that works financially and still enables picking up a UFA like Hamonic or Vatanen for 2RD. Hart and Sanheim are the only re-signs next year, with Raffl, Elliot, Gus and Laughton coming off and 2mil in cap space, so that's doable. Its about making this years team as quality as possible. JVR for Johansen is a pure win, the better player, the better 2 way guy, but you don't get quality without offering it, and Patrick is included. If Patrick is healthy on this team, hes a 3rd liner in this lineup, but the worry of progress in play or medical setback is still present. In this lineup you're trading 2 3rd liners, including 30 yr old 1-dimensional JVR for a 1st or 2nd liner. Again its a move that makes this tyeam better over the next 2 years and doesn't hurt financially until after 3 seasons.
Who knows what happens after 2 years (2 seasons) time with Giroux, Frost, Farabee, Hagg, NAK and Coots.