Your #3 on that list might actually be proving his point. His game trended downward. The fact is the guy is 30 and had a hugely down year. A bounce-back is possible, but not likely at that age. He's getting 2.5 fewer minutes per game than he was two seasons ago because he and Cirelli have flipped roles. How much would he produce getting those 2.5 minutes back? Probably more than he did this year, but that amount will be decreasing every year as he is just entering the twilight of his career. If he's costing us nothing to acquire beyond his salary and roster spot it's somewhat interesting, but it also doesn't solve our top 6 center issue for very long and, depending on how close we get to the cap, could lock us out of future moves for a better solution to the problem. Of course, with all those arguments against it, it must be noted that we don't have a 2nd line center for next year on our roster, so we need to make a move, regardless, and Johnson would at least still probably be a 2nd line center for next year.
I'm not really for or against taking on Johnson. There is clearly risk in both adding Johnson and not adding Johnson, and there is some definite but limited upside to the move as well. I wouldn't hate it, and I wouldn't love it. It's right in the middle, perfectly Minnesotan. As I consider that, that might actually be the biggest reason not to get him.
