Cost more than a 2nd imo and no retention is needed. If he has a track record of playing RD well I'd throw the 1st out there, if not this doesn't interest me

I could see Ekholm getting moved in the summer, but he's going to cost more than this.

I would try to send him to LA and get Helge Grans back as part of the deal

Does adding Ryan Johnson move the needle? The equivalent of two 2nds.

I haven't followed Johnson since he got drafted, so I don't know much about him or how he's developed. An RD would fit NSH's needs as they don't have a ton of prospects there. Still, the equivalent of two 2nds feels a touch light, given that NSH is retaining salary for multiple years here.

Yeah, that would be at full salary (no retention).

Johnson is a smooth-skating LD that should quickly develop into a top-4. Former 1st round pick. The problem is he's UFA-eligible this summer. He wouldn't be available if Sabres were confident he'd sign with them. At minimum, he's a 2024 late 2nd, with the possibility to be significantly more.

Could have sworn Johnson was a righty. Must be thinking of someone else. He's probably not an ideal prospect for NSH, given that they're much deeper on the left side with both prospects and roster players with term. The short window NSH would have to sign a prospect they have no established relationship with isn't ideal either.