Thr problem with Johansen is, well there's two problems I would say:
1. He wasn't brought in for the regular season. He was brought in for his playoff performance and that's what he's going to be judged on most by our management. Which means almost 100% they aren't going to pivot and go in a different direction this season with him. He will get a chance to show what he can bring for us in the playoffs in April.
2. The cost to dump him. Right now at $4M for this year and next year, you're talking a 1st round pick to dump him. Maybe a 2nd would get it done, but we don't have a 2nd until 2026. So it would take a 1st. Avs so far have shown an extreme reluctance to dump bad contracts outright.
I would love to be wrong on this and see the Avs go get a legit 2C, as I have long maintained that the 2C spot is the one area on this roster preventing us from being a top tier cup favorite again.
But I really don't see it happening. They will sink or swim(Very likely sink) with RyJo and then re-evaluate in the summer.
The only thing I can see them doing is maybe grabbing another Top 9 winger to add to the fold. But even then, I bet they only do that if Landy won't be back in time for the playoffs and/or uncertainty around Kovalenko.
And again, where I would like to see them get a legit Top 6 winger, they probably end up getting more of a middle 6/3rd liner type.