The 33-year-old defenseman had three seasons remaining on a five-year, $16.25 million contract (average annual value $3.25 million) he signed with Pittsburgh on July 1, 2018. In two seasons with the Penguins, he scored 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) in 149 games.
Johnson scored 11 points (three goals, eight assists) and averaged 19:28 of ice time in 67 games this season. He did not have a point in four postseason games as the Penguins lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the best-of-5 Stanley Cup Qualifiers.
Johnson will be able to sign with another team as an unrestricted free agent beginning Oct. 9.
He has scored 302 points (70 goals, 232 assists) in 937 games for the Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings.
Goalie Matt Murray was one of five pending restricted free agents extended a qualifying offer by the Penguins on Monday. He shared time this season with Tristan Jarry, who signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract to stay with Pittsburgh on Oct. 3.
