Tampa declines

Yea I assume they would however this is still better than a buy out or having him buried or giving up a 1st and 3rd.

I think the point of dumping Johnson would be to get rid of the full 5M.

From a Sharks perspective this isn't awful, but I doubt Tampa accepts. I think they would rather get rid of the full 5M with high picks than retain.

Tampa says Hell No, Julien BriseBois is in no position to eat 50% of Tyler Johnson's contract for 4 more years.

sjs has no reason to take that contract withou getting something back

Well, the something back is a very good RH 3C option locked into a good deal for three more years.

Rumor has it DET might help TBL out of a bind by taking all of Johnson's contract probably for high picks. But now with rumors of Pacioretty on the block, plans for DET might change.

VGK might deal Pacioretty for the same pick they dealt Schmidt, which would be a huge come up for DET vs taking on an expensive Johnson contract.

Having Pacioretty would move DET's rebuild up at least a year if not two, he produces twice the points Johnson does, and he's been a team captain.

So, if DET deals with VGK instead of TBL, then TB will be in a much more desperate position, that's when BriseBois might start conceding on retained salaries, or accepting offer sheets, as few other teams are in a position to take on Johnson's contract at full value.