Johnson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall two players from Amerks, send rookie to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled forward Tyson Jost and defenseman Kale Clague from the Rochester Americans and sent rookie defenseman Ryan Johnson to the AHL club.

The Sabres traded captain Kyle Okposo to the Florida Panthers and defenseman Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers before this afternoon’s deadline, so they needed some reinforcements.

Jost, 25, compiled four goals and 14 points in 25 games with the Amerks during his longest stint in the ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Erik Johnson to Flyers; Buffalo makes final deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon traded veteran defenseman Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2024.

The Sabres scratched Johnson, 35, the last five games to protect their asset before this afternoon’s deadline.

After signing a one-year, $3.25 million contract as a free agent, Johnson, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, compiled three goals and three points in 50 games with the Sabres.... Read the full article

Sabres sad, surprised Casey Mittelstadt traded, excited for Bowen Byram

TORONTO – Sooner or later, it was going to happen. Over the past few years, as the Sabres grew into a tight-knit group, their young core remained intact. But as the team evolved and needs materialized and the salary cap became a factor again, someone would have to leave Buffalo.

On Wednesday, two days before the trade deadline, it happened. The Sabres dealt center Casey Mittelstadt, a beloved teammate and their leading scorer, to the ... Read the full article

Stunner: Sabres trade top scorer Casey Mittelstadt to Avs for Bowen Byram

This afternoon, two days before the trade deadline, it happened. The Sabres dealt center Casey Mittelstadt, a beloved teammate and their leading scorer, to the ... Read the full article

Erik Johnson set to join list of notable veterans traded by Sabres

TORONTO – By Friday’s trade deadline, Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson will likely earn a spot on a short list of decorated, high-profile veterans who recently spent less than one season in Buffalo.

Johnson, like winger Taylor Hall and center Eric Staal in 2020-21, will almost certainly come and go in a matter of months before being dealt to a contender.

The Sabres began scratching Johnson, 35, last week to protect their asset. He will sit ... Read the full article

As trade deadline approaches, Sabres captain Kyle Okposo could be dealt

BUFFALO – Can you picture Sabres captain Kyle Okposo wearing a different uniform, say, for example, the Black and Gold of the rival Boston Bruins or the colors of another Stanley Cup contender?

When Okposo, 35, signed a one-year contract to return for his eighth and perhaps final season here, it felt like he would retire with the Sabres. Over the past three years, he has very much been the face of the team, helping ... Read the full article

Sabres, UPL can’t hold late lead against Jets; Buffalo scratches Erik Johnson with trade deadline approaching

BUFFALO – Don’t blame Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Sure, the Sabres goalie probably wants the tying and go-ahead goals back. Coach Don Granato said the Finn usually makes routine saves on those plays.

But Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, a game the Sabres led 2-1 after two periods, had nothing to do with Luukkonen, who started his second game in as many nights.

“He’s been great for us,” said Granato, whose Sabres were 19-0-1 when ... Read the full article

Sabres illustrate growth by annihilating Golden Knights: ‘A mature response’

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, if the Sabres had blown a two-goal lead in a matter of minutes like they did Saturday, they likely would’ve lost.

So their 7-2 dismantling of the Vegas Golden Knights before a noisy crowd of 16,693 fans in KeyBank Center represents growth.

Coach Don Granato has recently been saying the Sabres have matured and become better equipped to handle adversity. Saturday’s triumph over the defending Stanley Cup champion and ... Read the full article

Sabres veteran Erik Johnson anxious as trade deadline approaches

BUFFALO – Having never experienced this in his 17-year NHL career, Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson acknowledged that, yes, these days he feels a little anxious.

In signing Johnson, 35, to a one-year, $3.25 million contract, the Sabres added a much-needed veteran presence to a blue line filled with 20-somethings. But they’ve stumbled this season, and instead of maturing into a playoff team, they’ve fallen out of the race.

So the graying Johnson could be moved ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Owen Power returns from injury; Jacob Bryson playing regularly

BUFFALO – On Sunday morning, Sabres defenseman Owen Power did not take his usual spot on the second power-play unit, a sign he possibly needed more time to recover from his upper-body injury.

But following the pregame skate, coach Don Granato said the youngster could be ready for the Sabres’ contest against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Sure enough, Power, 21, returned their 3-2 shootout win, scoring the late tying goal and skating 23 ... Read the full article