I think if that's all it took for them to dump Johnson they would have already.

3 years left at 5 mil... gunna cost well over a 1st!
If not then try another team

Stralman just cost a second rounder + second round prospect and that’s one year. I think the cost will be a little higher.

1 year of Stall at $5 cost a 2nd

I can't see them taking johnson for that price, I can't really see them taking him pretty much at all.

Johnson's contract could possibly be moved for a second-rounder... if he only had a year left on his deal. Even then, it could cost a little more. He has three years left though (with a NTC), so dumping his contract would likely start with a first.

Stranger things have happened. After all, Stevie Y thought Tyler Johnson was good enough to get that contract in 2017.

I think people are understating Johnsons skill. The other players mentioned here are borderline unplayable. Is Johnson as good as he was 5 years ago? No. Will it cost something to move him? Yes. But we are still talking about a guy that scored 29 goals in the last full season and has been putting up a half point/game being moved all around the lineup before getting some consistency in the bottom 6. He is overpayed, but anything more than a first and its better to just buy him out and I think thats a mistake for teams like Detroit. If they get a second to take him, there is little doubt he can turn it around given a consistent role/linemates, and then you flip him in a year or two, maybe with some retention, for even more assets. 2nd is probably best case for Tampa but imo thats a huge win for other teams still. 1st, 2nd, player and prospect packages are ridiculous, contract is a bit rich but hes not getting buried by a team thats not as stacked as Tampa. If teams want that and they dont want to buy him out they will trade Palat for assets, keep Johnson, and keep rebuilding his value.