The Tampa Bay Lightning has dropped center Tyler Johnson after failing to move his contract from his salary cap via trade
Johnson, 30, has four more years on a seven-year, $ 35 million contract he signed with the Lightning in July 2017 Johnson’s contract carries a salary cap of $ 5 million
Center Lightning was in control of his fate with a full no-trade clause He had given Tampa Bay a limited number of teams he would consider giving up on, but there wasn’t enough traction to wrap up a deal The no-trade clause doesn’t prevent the Lightning from placing it on waivers, which will allow any team to take on the rest of the contract without giving the Lightning any assets in return.
Johnson had 31 points in 65 games last season for the Stanley Cup champions, the only team he has played for in the NHL He has 339 points in 534 career games, but saw his points production decrease in four consecutive seasons
There is speculation that whatever team claims Johnson might leave him exposed in the next offseason expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken Johnson is from Spokane, Wash.
The Lightning had to get aggressive this offseason with their salary cap, needing space to sign two restricted free agents – center Anthony Cirelli and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev – and protect themselves against a potential offer sheet presented to one or the other
The Lightning have reportedly re-signed forward Patrick Maroon and defenseman Luke Schenn – on one-year contracts for $ 900,000 and $ 800,000, respectively
Tyler Johnson
World News – CA – Lightning Center Places Tyler Johnson on Waivers
