Chad Johnson Signs 1 Year 2.5M Deal with Sabres

[FLYNNSanity]

I liked Johnson a lot, he played great and really embraced Buffalo.

[TrueBlueGED]

I'd love a Johnson/Ullmark platoon.

I would not. That'd make me nervous as hell.

[pi2000]

I would not. That'd make me nervous as hell.

 

me too.   Johnson has some very good moments, but he's streaky... when he's bad he's an absolute sieve.   Maybe just put him in for shootouts.... it's just a matter of time before some goalies become strictly shootout specialists.... That's all they practice.. .kind of like a closer in baseball.    

[dudacek]

Chad had his opportunity to show he was a number one last year behind a pretty talented Calgary team.

He couldn't beat out the very average Brian Elliott and neither of them will be welcomed back.

The Flames prefer a decrepit, volatile and expensive Mike Smith.

 

Johnson is a great guy and a solid backup. Let's not pretend he can be something more.

[Thorner]

Chad had his opportunity to show he was a number one last year behind a pretty talented Calgary team.

He couldn't beat out the very average Brian Elliott and neither of them will be welcomed back.

The Flames prefer a decrepit, volatile and expensive Mike Smith.

Johnson is a great guy and a solid backup. Let's not pretend he can be something more.

I may be crazy, but I'd take the Minion as our starter.

[TrueBlueGED]

I may be crazy, but I'd take the Minion as our starter.

You're crazy. Also possibly drunk. But definitely crazy.

[Thorner]

You're crazy. Also possibly drunk. But definitely crazy.

I'm just biased because the first time I FINALLY saw the Sabres win in person, Linus was the starter.

 

...And yes I'm also drunk.

[qwksndmonster]

I would not. That'd make me nervous as hell.

I love 1a-1b goalie rotations. I think Chad and Ullmark are in a good place to push one another. I'm not overly worried about our goaltending next year, as long as it's decent enough to get us into the playoffs.

 

And even though he's a talented young starter with upside, I don't give a flying about Lehner.

[Taro T]

That is an odd one.

Not that Chad isn't a good backup, or that Lehner/Johnson/Ullmark/Johansen/Kasdorf/Ukko isn't solid enough organizationally.

It's just I was convinced by the contract that Linus was in Buffalo.

Also thinking Chad is a little pricier than, say, Nilsson.

Wonder if this is insurance in case/because the Lehner talks aren't where JBot wants them.

 

 

That's a possibility. The thought that was proposed in this thread that the Sabres may want Ullmark to start the year in Ra-cha-cha to help the rookie acclimatize to the US could also be possible.

 

Would Johnson clear waivers if the Sabres wanted the all Swede tandem on the big club? Probably, right?

 

 

I would not. That'd make me nervous as hell.

Same boat. That's rolling the dice towards the possibility of a Phlyers quality tandem. Not saying it would be; it probably wouldn't; but that is the floor for career backup - rookie that looked good on bad team tandem. REALLY would not want to see that on day 1.

[DarthEbriate]

My first reaction was really, but after a little thought it makes some sense.

 

Ullmark did ok in the AHL last year, but (granted terrible D) he didn't exactly dominate.  He can also still be sent down without having to do through waivers.

 

So Jbot signs Lehner and Johnson, send Ullmark back to the AHL to backstop hopefully an improved Amerks team. Johannson gets to backup his countryman and learn the NA game.  Kasdorf is sent to the ECHL.  

 

This works.

^This. Let Ullmark do the AHL All-Star with a good roster and better numbers (increased sv% and G.AA). Let Johansson acclimate. And Kasdorf rocks the Cincinnati circuit.

Johnson played for the Pens while JBot was there, too... right? Or am I misremembering?

 

I'm just biased because the first time I FINALLY saw the Sabres win in person, Linus was the starter.

 

...And yes I'm also drunk.

Ebriation for all and all for hockey.

[Ogre]

 

 

Ullmark did ok in the AHL last year,

 

Kasdorf is sent to the ECHL.

 

This works.

I'm curious if you're looking at actual game play or looking at stats? I'm pretty sure he had the most saves in the A. Whatever. Stats, right? This kid has amazing rebound control. Swallows pucks like Hungry Hippos swallow marbles. He has shown to me that he can handle no. 1 duties. He's a guy that can do back to backs with no dip in performance. He also make SO saves. Yep.

Oh ya. Kasdorf. He'll be lucky to hold a spot in Cleveland. If you see him called up to the A you'll know you're short at goalie.

[darksabre]

I suspect Ullmark starts the year in the A.

 

I suspect he finishes it in Buffalo.

[MODO Hockey]

I suspect Ullmark starts the year in the A.

 

I suspect he finishes it in Buffalo.

I hope your both right and wrong. Sigh ..

I so so want to see him in Buffalo all season.

 

I want to see something like what happend to Matt murray. Wishful thoughts ofcourse ;)

Edited June 29, 2017 by MODO Hockey

[WildCard]

I would not. That'd make me nervous as hell.

Yeah that terrifies me.

[Samson's Flow]

For as long as I can remember the Sabres had strong goaltending, or at least above average relative to the league. I think some of us are taking for granted how demoralizing it is to have a good team with a bad goalie. You think Miller's WTF Wave/soft goals were bad...

[North Buffalo]

Given current talent I think Sabres are only a D and a scoring winger away from playoffs and they may have one or two but need maturity. Just think of a third young line of Pu, Middlestatt, and Nylander. Fourth line of Larrson, Girgenson and Foligno, 2nd of RoR, Kane and Sam, Eichel, KO and his old teamate ERod.... Nylander to top and Erod to third. A healthy Fasching as a sub. Get Shattenkirk and its a question of gelling and maturing.

[LGR4GM]

and Dhalin because we will just miss the playoffs but win the lottery.

[North Buffalo]

and Dhalin because we will just miss the playoffs but win the lottery.

I could go for that... and a D with second first or better yet win it twice 1 and 2 dreaming why not.

[jsb]

I'm beginning to believe the talk that GMJB is making about team leadership (upper management) being slow and deliberate in making moves on the big club and rebuilding Rochester. It wouldn't surprise me if all the young guys, Bailey, Fasching, Babtiste, Nylander, Guhle, Ullmark, Fedun, Falk etc.... all end up in Lake Ontario land for further seasoning unless someone just makes a drastic impression on HCPH or there's another rash of injuries to start the year. Let some of the crappy contracts play out another year, teach the young guys how to play Housley's style in Rochester and learn how to win up there. Then pull a Laffs and bring everyone up at the same time after the trade deadline rids you of some experienced but bad contract players. 

Edited June 29, 2017 by jsb

[Tondas]

I'm beginning to believe the talk that GMJB is making about team leadership (upper management) being slow and deliberate in making moves on the big club and rebuilding Rochester. It wouldn't surprise me if all the young guys, Bailey, Fasching, Babtiste, Nylander, Guhle, Ullmark, Fedun, Falk etc.... all end up in Lake Ontario land for further seasoning unless someone just makes a drastic impression on HCPH or there's another rash of injuries to start the year. Let some of the crappy contracts play out another year, teach the young guys how to play Housley's style in Rochester and learn how to win up there. Then pull a Laffs and bring everyone up at the same time after the trade deadline rids you of some experienced but bad contract players. 

 

Sure would make the Amerks fun to watch (maybe more so than the big club). :unsure:

[woods-racer]

I'm beginning to believe the talk that GMJB is making about team leadership (upper management) being slow and deliberate in making moves on the big club and rebuilding Rochester. It wouldn't surprise me if all the young guys, Bailey, Fasching, Babtiste, Nylander, Guhle, Ullmark, Fedun, Falk etc.... all end up in Lake Ontario land for further seasoning unless someone just makes a drastic impression on HCPH or there's another rash of injuries to start the year. Let some of the crappy contracts play out another year, teach the young guys how to play Housley's style in Rochester and learn how to win up there. Then pull a Laffs and bring everyone up at the same time after the trade deadline rids you of some experienced but bad contract players. 

 

I can live with this.

I will screaming my head off for the year wondering why Molson isn't watching from the press box while a young'in that is better is still in the A. 

But I can live with it.

[Sabre fan]

There is only one reason why we'd want Johnson back and that is if we are trying to trade lehner, which just may happen. I really can't see Johnson and lehner again...we could sign Ryan again I guess seeing how everyone wants Vanek back it seems...is Danny B retired for sure?

[LGR4GM]

I don't want Vanek, Miller, or Briere or Ruff, or Drury back. 

[Rasmus_]

Meh, I've moved on from this, I'd rather have Nilsson (back) or Ullmark all season.

[Thorner]

I'm beginning to believe the talk that GMJB is making about team leadership (upper management) being slow and deliberate in making moves on the big club and rebuilding Rochester. It wouldn't surprise me if all the young guys, Bailey, Fasching, Babtiste, Nylander, Guhle, Ullmark, Fedun, Falk etc.... all end up in Lake Ontario land for further seasoning unless someone just makes a drastic impression on HCPH or there's another rash of injuries to start the year. Let some of the crappy contracts play out another year, teach the young guys how to play Housley's style in Rochester and learn how to win up there. Then pull a Laffs and bring everyone up at the same time after the trade deadline rids you of some experienced but bad contract players.

 

I'm good with this, but the expectation for this season must remain playoffs or bust.