This trade seems doable in theory, but is actually not even close to fair when you dig into it. Johnson would NOT be an upgrade to any current Blues left wingers, especially when considering their style of play. Also, already having both Pietrangelo and Faulk meens they don't need Barrie either, especially with his contract coming up.

You're basically asking the Blues to get rid of a top paring quality Dman with term for what would be to them and depth forward and a rental.

What do you think it would take to pry Parayko out of St. Louis?

For either Parayko or Pietrangelo it's tough as the Blues are a solid team all the way through. The only weak-ish part in that lineup is the fact they're forced to play Jordan Kyrou as the #1RW at the moment, but only because Tarasenko is out with a shoulder injury. They're not gonna bother trading for a real #1RW because they're obviously making the playoffs and by then and Taraskenko will be back.

Since their lineup is so solid throughout and how their roster cap is structured, I can't even see a possible way of doing them a cap favor. Taking back a less efficient contract and have the meens to replace it with a better one, The Leafs would also need the ability to bury this contract because they really can't take on more salary then Parayko would bring. The only "bad" contracts are Steen and Bozak yet they make up 2/3 of the best 3rd line in hockey, and you wouldn't be able to burry their cap in the minors because they're both on one way deals, cap relief would only be 1.075M$ for sending them down.

Basically, the Blues are too solid of a roster and are too well structured cap-wise for the Leafs to be in a position to make them a real good offer. You'd have to make them an offer so good they can't refuse which meens getting rid of elite young assets which the Leafs aren't going to do. It would have to be Johnsson (for cap relief), Barrie (as a present replacement) plus you'd have to give them a futur replacement like Liljegren for them to even take a snif at it. You'd probly have to add a pick as a sweetner to make it happen. Leafs would never pay Johnsson, Barrie, Liljegren and a pick for Parayko, but that's what it would take. The Leafs and Blues are not good trade partners. It's just not happening.