Erik Johnson Traded to Philadelphia for Draft Pick

The Buffalo Sabres announced a trade involving Erik Johnson on Friday. In another trade deadline move, the Sabres acquired a 2024 fourth-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Johnson. The Flyers were likely looking for a right-shot defenseman to replace the recently traded Sean Walker.

It’s the second player-for-futures swap the Sabres have made on trade deadline day, trading team captain Kyle Okposo earlier in the day. Johnson is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Must Read: Kyle Okposo Traded to Panthers for Pick, Prospect

The Sabres already added Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche this week. Add a fourth-round pick to Byram, a conditional seventh-round pick, and prospect Calle Sjalin as the new pieces brought in by Buffalo before the deadline.

Byram scored a goal and recorded a primary assist in his first game for the Sabres on Thursday, making an immediate impact. Sjalin was selected in the fifth round, 145th overall, in the 2017 NHL Draft. The 24-year-old defenseman has three assists in 22 games with the Charlotte Checkers this season.

Acquiring something for a player presumed to walk for nothing at the end of the year is always a good strategy. We’ll see what General Manager Kevyn Adams does with his other expiring assets.

After the Erik Johnson trade, the Sabres have four pending unrestricted free agents on their NHL roster. This list includes forwards Zemgus Girgensons, Victor Olofsson, Eric Robinson, and goaltender Eric Comrie.

Erik Johnson was signed to a one-year, $3.25 million contract over the summer. He recorded three goals in 50 games for the Sabres.