Trade Idea: Tyler Johnson to the Nashville Predators

The Tampa Bay Lightning have no choice but to make a couple trades before next season starts. Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois recently commented on the expected trades after the team signed Mikhail Sergachev to his new contract.

I know I have to move players to make that happen, and I'm confident I'll be able to move the players to create cap space. There's a lot of progress being made. We're working on a bunch of different fronts, there's a lot of balls up in the air. Nothing has materialized yet.

The team waived Tyler Johnson earlier this offseason but he wasn't claimed. A trade is inevitable as BriseBois mentioned and it will be tough to pull off as Johnson has a no trade clause. He'll have all the control, so where exactly would he be open to playing is the question.

What about the Nashville Predators?

The Predators have over $12 million in cap space left and are starved for some more offense. Johnson scored 29 goals in 2019 and even though last season he saw a dip in his minutes, Johnson still finished the season with 31 points. 

Nashville has room for Johnson's $5 million contract for the next four years, and the 30-year-old could play center or wing for the Preds, giving them the depth Kyle Turris couldn't provide. 

Trade Idea: Tyler Johnson, a 2021 3rd-round pick, D prospect Alex Green for Calle Jarnkrok. 

If Tampa is going to move Johnson they will have to add a sweetener or two as other teams hold all the leverage. This trade would be saving $3 million dollars for Tampa Bay which would help balance the books a touch. 

Another move would need to follow, but this proposed trade gives the Lightning a player in Jarnkrok who helps them immediately in more ways than one. The champs wouldn't be taking a huge step backwards, which is something their management team wants to try and avoid.  

Last season the 29-year-old Jarnkrok finished the year with 34 points and would help Tampa limit the offensive hit of losing Johnson.

Thoughts on the proposed trade? Hit us up in the comments.

Photo credit:  Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire