Ouch. The 15th overall pick, plus a 3rd, plus retaining on Johansen and all they get is Conor Garland and a 7th?

The idea here is for the Canucks to improve the balance of their roster while boosting their draft capital but using their new-found cap space after the OEL buyout. Johansen slots into the 3C and improves the centre depth of the Canucks organization, albeit with an inefficient contract despite the amount retained by Nashville. The cost of dumping that cap space is reflected in the first round pick that Nashville is giving up. Nashville gains by moving out one of their more inefficient contracts, freeing up cap space for improving other ares of their roster.

Garland goes to Nashville for the third round pick. Now that Vancouver is less pressed against the cap they can more comfortable ask for an actual return for Garland, that being a mid round pick in this trade.

The Predators sure won't be trading the 15th overall in a very deep draft just to save money on Johansen's contract. They can find other ways to save money that don't require giving up their 1st rounder. Johansen isn't useless, he just isn't worth his contract, but it still isn't worth it.

Take out the 1st and Nashville considers it.

Even then, I'd say NSH declines. Two years of Johansen is more palatable than three of Garland to me.

Why would they dump him to take on another terrible contract

Smashville declines