Brawndo

Yes because not qualifying for the NCAA tournament in the first place and missing the playoffs by a single win is the same as losing the National Championship in OT.

Exactly, He played four seasons for the Gophers, lost in heartbreaking fashion and probably needed to step back and recharge for a while. Now he gets a few practices in with the Amerks, gets to meet the coaching staff and it in on meetings for a week or longer.

It could be as simple as in deciding that he wanted to enjoy his last few college experiences, graduation and attending college parties. I do believe that Linus Weissbach did the same thing after his senior season at Wisconsin. As there a pictures of him in Madison Wisconsin, enjoying his last few weeks of college life. Granted Johnson is a first round, pick compared to Weissbach who was a seventh rounder. Weissbach did sign on April 6, 2021 on the Amerks still did have games left however, he did not report to the Amerks until the next season

Appert mentioned that Savoie will be on another line tonight

Johnson will be 22 when the 2023-24 Season starts, he can only sign a 2 year ELC at that point

Per Lance Lysowski the contract starts next season as he probably doesn’t make the lineup this year for the Amerks

After the NHL Regular Season ended he could no longer sign a 3 year ELC.

Per Sabres PR

Botterill, Darche and Dubas were mentioned as candidates

Doug Armstrong being the Team Canada GM and Hofer being a Blues Prospect isn’t lost on me

The original press release only had games one and two, I hope Direct TV is correct and they will broadcast all the games

I would want to flip First Round Picks, we get 11th OA Pick and Myers for the 13th OA Pick

Per Amerks

I doubt it happens, but the Oilers and Rangers are close to the cap and they have RFAs in Bouchard and Miller that need to be signed. Those are the type of d man I would imagine would cost Östlund or Rosen.

Damn, I chose the wrong specialty

He does have one more season of eligibility left at Minnesota as the NCAA granted an extra season for athletes secondary to Covid. It is not lost on me that the Sabres announced the Novikov contract the same day that Logan Cooley decided to go back Minnesota. I wonder if Johnson was waiting from Cooley to decide and he is now going back as well. Another possibility is he is waiting to see if his Dad will be retained as an assistant by the Ducks New HC, with plans to sign there after August 15th if he does.

I think he can play, but he will probably just practice.

Per PR

They may not be dead yet. https://www.gophnx.com/2023/05/20/examining-possible-valley-sites-for-coyotes-arena/ The Fiesta Mall Site is interesting as this is the area where not only most of the premium season ticket holders are, the Mesa City Council released a statement supporting the idea and it may not require a public vote to be approved.