Elliotte Friedman is expecting this Sabres defenseman to be dealt before the deadline.
Last night, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared his latest 32 Thoughts column. It was full of the latest trade chatter surrounding the league, and the Buffalo Sabres were one of the teams discussed.
Friedman specifically addressed Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson in his piece and had this to say about the 2006 first-overall pick: "I also expect Erik Johnson moves. That’s a no-brainer for a contender."
Erik JohnsonThis viewpoint from Friedman comes after fellow NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this week that the Sabres want to talk with Johnson before committing to a definite plan with the veteran defenseman.
Johnson, 35, is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), so he certainly could be an appealing target for teams if he is shopped. Teams looking to add more experience and depth to their defense before the deadline passes would certainly benefit by adding a player like him. This is especially so if the Sabres make it transparent that they are happy to retain half of his salary.
His former team, the Colorado Avalanche, stand out as a potential landing spot for him. They could use some help on their bottom pairing, and he is, of course, highly respected by his old teammates.
Erik Johnson Johnson has appeared in 43 games this season for the Sabres, where he has three goals, zero assists, 64 hits, and a plus-2 rating.