Confirmed with Link: Sabres sign D Erik Johnson to a 1 year deal worth $3.25M

[sabremike]

INCOMING!!!

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

If Lyubushkin is about to be traded this makes sense. If not...I'm scared...

 

[Ace]

Well that card makes me feel better.

The key part of the card is his role as depth. If this is the move this off-season…you shouldn’t

 

[RWatson29]

We’ll we have 3 RHD Third pair guys now…… lybushkin/EJ/Jokiharju ….

 

[Ehran]

If this is his only move to shore up the D I won't be happy. But that salary makes me think it will be.

 

[Dingo44]

The key part of the card is his role as depth. If this is the move this off-season…you shouldn’t

I highly doubt this is the only move this off-season. It's not even one hour into Free Agency.

 

[BG82]

f*** this is bad, I don't understand what Adams is doing. (if Johnson for top 4)

I don't get it

 

[ValJamesDuex]

well there goes the great vibes after the draft

 

[Chainshot]

1 year and he can play the right side. Brings a good veteran presence. I like it. We now have 3 #1 Overall drafted D men on this team. Kinda funny.

First time ever. And they now have a Cup winner in their room which was lacking.

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

Not crazy about this, but it's only a year and not my money.

 

[Fjordy]

Well Colorado fans say he's already washed up and can only play minutes of the third pair. Adams can't screw up and sign him for a top 4 role.

 

[Royal Thunder]

Cup winning vet with 1OA pedigree, I like it as a depth move but do not like it if this is our only addition at D. Certainly a better option than Clague types

 

[Ace]

Maybe Joker will be part of a package for a good D.

 

[Zip15]

Adams is hedging his bets that one of Joker or Johnson will be able to play that second pair role. I don’t love that bet, but I think that’s what they are banking on.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Seravalli says the money on Johnson is 1/1.25M ??

Said he anchors the 3rd pair, adds veteran presence for young D

 

[Dingo44]

You have to figure with Sam Ventura and Matt Barlowe they see something in the numbers with EJ that makes sense. It's not just Adams in his office making these decisions in a vacuum.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

In a vacuum, it doesn't look great. Luckily, hockey isn't played in a vacuum. Having a veteran leader on defense to help power between shifts or in the locker rooms or off ice? That could be worth the contract right there. Ideally though, we still look at Joker moving out and a number four right defenseman being added, hence the vacuum comment.

 

[Zman5778]

In a vacuum, it doesn't look great. Luckily, hockey isn't played in a vacuum. Having a veteran leader on defense to help power between shifts or in the locker rooms or off ice? That could be worth the contract right there. Ideally though, we still look at Joker moving out and a number four right defenseman being added, hence the vacuum comment.

We got Clifton.

 

[Gabrielor]

This move is now perfectly fine. Cup winning experience. We needed it.

 

[tsujimoto74]

We’ll we have 3 RHD Third pair guys now…… lybushkin/EJ/Jokiharju ….

Yeah, gotta think 1 of Joker or Boosh is on the move before the season opens, unless someone gets injured during the summer.

 

[Dingo44]

The key part of the card is his role as depth. If this is the move this off-season…you shouldn’t

I highly doubt this is the only move this off-season. It's not even one hour into Free Agency.

And less than 10 minutes later we sign Clifton. Good things come to those who don't panic.

 

[Chainshot]

Clifton, EJ is a nice set of adds. I was hoping for 2 defensemen and they landed two.

 

[RWatson29]

Yeah, gotta think 1 of Joker or Boosh is on the move before the season opens, unless someone gets injured during the summer.

Yeah I’d like a left handed guy as a 6/7 but not Bryson

 

[yasky]

3rd pairing when he's healthy. Now who are they gonna pair him with?

 

[HaNotsri]

punting on another season

The worst case scenario with Adams is missing the playoffs for two more years but then hopefully getting a senior GM that can help us.
I don't think Adams will hurt the franchise like the ones before him.

The best case scenario is our prospects blooming under Granato and us becoming contenders without help from trades/signings.