I love these takes from Habs fans. Johnson is a four time 20 goal scorer, twice with 29 so almost a 30 goal scorer, is pacing for 20 again this year. He has a career ppg of 0.64ppg which averages to 53 points a season. He makes 5M for four years after this which is more than fair value. Gourde is a career 0.59ppg player, one of the best two way players on a top team. These guys need a sweetener to be moved. Yet Tatar who was a cap dump because he failed so miserably in Vegas is worth a 1st + A prospect +, I just don't get it.
Neither Johnson or Gourde are struggling that bad where you need to add a significant sweetener to move them. They are both very good middle 6 wingers who are under contract for at least the next four years at reasonable costs, if they were UFA they'd be getting more term and money. Gourde is being asked to babysit two rookies and play a defensive role which he is great at, sure his offense will struggle there who's wouldn't? It's not like he's in the top 6 struggling. Johnson is playing a great complimentary winger role, he isn't needed to carry the load anymore and isn't getting PP1 time yet his production is still steady. Both guys are quality players but mi8be moved for cap purposes not because of their play, same thing with Miller and look how that turned out.