The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon traded goalie Jonas Johansson to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2021.
The Sabres held Johansson, 25, out of Friday’s practice as they attempted to deal him.
With Johansson gone, Carter Hutton and Dustin Tokarski are the Sabres’ top two goalies. Hutton, 35, has a 1-10-1 record this season. Meanwhile, Tokarski, 31, hasn’t played in the NHL since a 10-minute stint in 2016-17.
A lower-body injury has sidelined starter Linus Ullmark since last month. Top prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has spent all season as the Rochester Americans’ No. 1 goalie.
The Sabres also have Michael Houser, who cleared waivers today after signing a one-year contract Friday. Houser could replace Tokarski as the taxi-squad goalie.
The Sabres gave Johansson a brief look last week, awarding him three consecutive starts so he could experience a heavy workload. He posted a 3.93 goals-against average and an .864 save percentage in three losses.
Those outings apparently convinced the Sabres he was expendable.
Johansson has compiled a 1-8-2 record with a 3.39 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage in 13 career NHL games. He has registered a 0-5-1 mark with a 3.79 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage in seven outings this season.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Swede was an AHL All-Star with Rochester last season.
The Sabres drafted Johansson in the third round in 2014, 61st overall.
