It’s official: the Bruins have lost UFA forward Marcus Johannson. The Buffalo Sabres announced today they signed him to a two-year contract worth $9 million ($4.5 million AAV). This is disappointing but expected, and the Sabres are getting a great player. Johannson suited up for 58 games last season, producing 13 goals and 17 assists. He started the season with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Bruins at the deadline. He also appeared in 22 playoff games with Boston, in which he recorded four goals and seven assists. Drafted 24th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Johannson has appeared in 588 career NHL games, and he has tallied 120 goals and 214 assists. The 28-year-old left wing is on his fourth team in nine seasons.
As I said, I’m disappointed the Bruins were unable to resign Johannson. He was a great fit for the team and developed instant chemistry with Charlie Coyle on the third line upon his return from his injury and illness. He was often one of the best players on the ice for the Bruins during their playoff run and was easily one of the most consistent. Unfortunately, the Bruins just didn’t have the cap space to resign him given their priorities are getting Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and Danton Heinen resigned, as they should be, and they only have $10.2 million to do so (which won’t be enough). Had they been able to make a trade or two, they would’ve been able to do it, especially if one of those trades involved David Backes, but I won’t get into that too much now. It’s frustrating to me that Sweeney hasn’t made a trade yet, particularly involving one of the nine NHL defenseman, at least one of which essentially has to be moved this summer as you can’t very well have three defensemen making over $5 million combined sitting out every night when you are pressed against the cap ceiling like the Bruins are. But, that’s another post for another time.
The Sabres are getting a great player in Johannson, and they are getting him for less than what he was expected to get, and with less risk, because it’s only for two years. I was surprised by that, as it had been reported he wanted more term (four years was what I kept seeing), and that didn’t surprise me given his injury problems, but I don’t think he got any offers in that range, and likely for that reason. So, he just settled for the best he got. That could be wrong, but that’s just what I think happened. It’s also a little less than he made in his last contract per year, as that one had a $4,583,333 AAV. This is a really good deal for them, as he is a versatile middle-six forward who can play center or on either wing, although seems to be at his best when playing left wing. I don’t see how they could come to regret this deal, as it’s only for two seasons and they don’t have many big contracts up between now and the end of it. Also, they have $6.7 million in cap space, and the cap will keep increasing (hopefully by more than it has the past few seasons), so they should be fine. Johannson will also be a good veteran presence on a young team looking to get back into the playoffs, and it can only help that he was very good during the Bruins run to the Cup Final last season. As I mentioned briefly too, they got him for less than he was reportedly after, as he was supposedly looking for a four-year contract with a $5 million AAV. Overall, this is a strong signing for the Sabres that I don’t think we’ll find them regretting.
Hockey Addict 