I wouldn't trade any of them. Giving away our positive assets does not "fix" us in any way. If we are desperate to clear short-term space then you buy-out Johansen and try to swing a deal with Granlund that take back a little less (and hopefully shorter-term) salary--e.g. Granlund for Poolparty with adds to make the numbers work, etc...
This. If you're really just going the tank & rebuild direction, then you NEED to keep your top prospects like Evangelista, and it really makes no difference whatsoever if you ride out a couple more years with a bad contract like Johansen since you aren't trying to use that Cap space to compete anyway. Just a completely contradictory approach.
Now me, I still think this roster could "compete"... small c... not Contend big C... with just the right coaching change and a little bit of a firmer hand from the GM. How you make sure it's the "right" coaching change, however... well, that's the million dollar question. I guess like Meatloaf, Poile is singing "two outta three ain't bad" on coaches. But who knows with the next one. Still, since we're kind of handcuffed on payroll anyway, I don't see any issue in trying and seeing. What's the worst that can happen? We're already in the worst spot right now. Best case, he lands a winner, worst case we're in exactly the same spot we were going to be for the next 2 or 3 seasons anyway.
And the fate of players like Johansen and Granlund really isn't even a key factor in this approach either way. If you can trade them, or if the finance department is ok with buying out Joey, go ahead, because we already have internal options who are as good as they are. Or if you can't move them, no biggie, we're not spending that money anyway, just make sure they slot into the lineup in a purely meritocratic way while we ride out their contracts. They're still decent NHL players.