Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams addressed needs on defense in the first hour of free agency, signing Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton.
Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams addressed needs on defense in the first hour of free agency, signing Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton.
Johnson, 35, was signed to a one-year, $3.25 million contract while Clifton, 28, received a three-year contract with a $3.33 million average annual value.
Johnson, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, is a right-shot defenseman who gives the Sabres much-needed experience as to a young defense corps as the team looks to take the next step to playoff contention. He’s played 920 NHL regular season games and 55 playoff games and was a Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Clifton, also a right shot, joins the Sabres after playing all five seasons of his NHL career to date with the Boston Bruins, playing 232 NHL games and another 46 in the playoffs. He offers a physical element on the blue line and was 10th among NHL defensemen and 23rd in the NHL in hits with 208. Clifton was a teammate of Alex Tuch in 2012-13 with the U.S. National Team Development Program, coached by Don Granato.
The additions give Buffalo nine defensemen on one-way contracts ahead of next season.
The Sabres also re-signed forward Tyson Jost to a one-year, $2 million contract. The 25-year-old became an unrestricted free agent Friday after Buffalo declined to extend him a qualifying offer.
He had 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 59 games with the Sabres after they claimed him off waivers from the Minnesota Wild in November.
He jelled quickly with the group and at the end of the season, expressed to the front office and coaches, as well as reporters, his desire to return.
See also: Buffalo Sabres 2023 offseason tracker