Go Habs Go
Joined: Mar. 2017
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If you're trading for Johansen, you're basically paying for the retention. I have no doubt they'd be willing to move one of their $8M centers for nothing, but if they are retaining there has to be a benefit to doing so.
Let's say Lehkonen for $1M retained. They sign him for 4 years @ $2M. Having Lehkonen for the equivalent of $3M saves them $5M. Not the best contract still, but much more manageable.
Think what you would have to pay a 3rd party to retain $3.5M for 4 years (if you could even find someone willing). It's a high enough price that it's not worth paying.
Up to $2M is possible. Anything more than that and you're getting to the point where it makes more sense for them to keep him and buy him out when it becomes a problem they can't ignore.