I don't see the hawks givin any retention on that contract but i like the idea.

Can't see the Hawks retaining for 3 straight years.

Johnson still has a full NTC and can veto any trade.

Its a problem for sure ... maybe they retain just a million or less as a token and get a small return ... like just a 3rd and nothing else

He'd get a shot to play consistent top 6 minutes with good wingers on a team with recent success and even a few ex-team mates from Tampa. He might refuse, but he's not being shipped to Buffalo here either.

Don't see why the Hawks are doing this. They are back to trying to compete and on paper are one of the better teams in the central. Johnson is still a middle 6 winger which they will get a lot of use of this season. They won't be able to find a replacement for Johnson for 2 3rd round picks.

I think (at least in Stan's mind) that he wants to see how TJ does. His ATOI is limited because the team was stacked. Yes $5.5M is too much, but if he would have got more time then things could be different. Plus he's good at the dot and a 2-way hustler which Jeremy Colliton has been advocating for. It's a good out if the box idea. I don't want to discount your idea. I just don't see it working out.

Fair points! I'd be good with him on the Habs for all of those reasons, can understand that Chicago might not want to deal him for those same reasons. Maybe only cap crunch or the legit emergence of Dach taking up big minutes would make them consider it.