In the final year of his contract, it is tough to gauge what the value is for Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson.
The University of Michigan product reportedly asked for a trade so that he could get more ice time before he heads to unrestricted free agency this summer.
The player has been beloved by general managers for many years but as time has passed, has the love for the mobile defenseman worn off? Any trade not involving future picks will need to be predicated on a front office still loving Johnson's game.
There will be teams that want his services but finding the right match is going to be difficult. Moving Johnson's 4.357 million dollar a year contract is where it may get fishy with team's close to the ceiling of the cap.
So when The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun tweeted about the want for a rental for a rental trade, it makes sense.
If the Jackets do trade Johnson, and that's no sure thing, have to think a deal for a rental F is the way to go for them. A pick does them little good in a year where they're trying to win https://t.co/6HPB5SkzHf
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 13, 2018
We'll use it as a guideline to start.
Toronto Maple Leafs
While they have an analytically inclined front office, they take the physical attributes of a player into account more often than not. As the team prepares for the playoffs and defenseman Ron Hainsey gets more and more ice time, the Maple Leafs could use a solid, minute-eating defenseman.
Taking a look at their expiring deals, the two players that make the most sense are James Van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. Both also hover around Johnson's cap hit as well.
Van Riemsdyk is more of a "wish list" inclusion, but if the team is enamored with Johnson, it isn't out of the realm of possibility. Bozak is the warm blanket here; it just feels right. Both Bozak and Johnson have drawn the ire of the analytics community but continue to put up points in spite of the criticism.
Johnson and Bozak also only have a small difference in salary as well making this an ideal fit both sides.
Pittsburgh Penguins
I know I'll catch flack for this but hear me out.
Trading within the division is tough to do. There are needs all over the lineup for the Penguins so it could be a match for both sides. Outside of Letang and Schultz, the entire defensive core is shaky at best. They are looking to trade Ian Cole who has similar attributes to Johnson.
As for expiring contracts, only Patric Hornqvist comes to mind, but he is the perfect Blue Jacket. He can score, he can run a player over and do it all with a smile on his face. Putting a player like that on a rival though is a dangerous business move. Maybe Carl Hagelin with one more year on his deal after this with $4 million AAV owed to him would be more palatable. Neither figure to be in the Penguins long-term plans and could thrive with more of an opportunity.
Vegas Golden Knights
No, the Blue Jackets aren't getting William Karlsson back. Sorry.
The Golden Knights do have expiring contracts though that should intrigue the Blue Jackets. While they have been in the league for less than a year, the two sides do have a history with one another. The Golden Knights are aware of the Blue Jackets' assets with Keegan Kolesar and T.J. Tynan in tow.
James Neal, David Perron, and Cody Eakin are all names that should be targeted. Neal and Perron are having great years and would likely need more to be taken from Vegas. You won't get a one for one trade like you might with the prior players mentioned. Eakin isn't on an expiring contract and is only 26 years old, so as an asset, he may still have more room to grow.
All three make similar money making the salary cap a non-issue.
If the Golden Knights go for "it," they'll need a minute-eating defenseman and Johnson still can do that for a team.
Follow 1st Ohio BatteryFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
