Insider: Sabres Defenseman Is 'A Name to Watch' In Trade Talks
One prominent insider believes that a Sabres defenseman will generate trade interest as we get closer to the deadline.
© Micheline Veluvolu - Insider: Sabres Defenseman Is 'A Name to Watch' In Trade TalksAfter heading into the season with playoff expectations, the Buffalo Sabres have taken a step back in 2023-24. At the time of this writing, they have a 21-23-4 record and are the third-worst team in the Eastern Conference. Because of this, there's a good chance that we will see them be sellers this deadline season.
The futures of the Sabres' pending UFAs will certainly be in question, and Erik Johnson is one of them. Because of this, in a recent episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Jeff Marek asked NHL insider Elliotte Friedman about teams potentially having an interest in the veteran defenseman.
In response, Friedman said: "I've started to hear his name a little bit. It makes a lot of sense. It makes a lot of sense to me." He later added: "I think this is a name to watch. Like I said, I just had a couple people say to me, 'Put Erik Johnson on your radar. The Sabres are going to have options here.'"
He also discussed how Johnson recently won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, is known for being a team-first player, and has experience playing in both conferences as reasons why he could generate interest over these next few weeks.
Johnson, 35, has appeared in 41 games this season, where he has three goals and a plus-2 rating. While he has not taken the league by storm as a Sabre, he should garner interest from clubs looking for a bit more defensive depth and experience for the playoffs.
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