The Lightning should be eyeing this Sabres defenseman.
The Lightning should be eyeing this Sabres defenseman.
It is not a secret that the Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to improve their blue line. Star defenseman Mikhail Sergachev is out indefinitely, and they were already searching for defensemen before he got injured again. It is understandable, as they simply need more depth.
While it would be excellent for the Lightning to add a player whom they have been linked to, like Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Sean Walker, it also would not hurt for them to look at targets that would require them to give up less. As a result, one player who should be on their radar is Buffalo Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson.
Johnson, 35, has been making the rounds in the rumor mill for several weeks. This is because he is a pending UFA on a Sabres club that is far out of the playoff hunt. With the Lightning needing some improvement on their right side, bringing a veteran like Johnson would be worthwhile.
Johnson would be a great fit on the Lightning's bottom pairing and would give them another strong option for their penalty kill. Along with that, he would provide them with another excellent leader, as he is a team-first guy with plenty of experience and success. With half of his salary retained, he would be a good addition to a Bolts team looking to improve their defense.
In 48 games this season, Johnson has three goals, 88 hits, and 65 blocks.
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