Prospect Info: Ryan Johnson, D, 2019 #31 overall: Signed, Rochester (AHL), Recalled 12/5/24

[Ace]

Isn't he exactly what we need on this team as early as next season? This sucks.

It’s all good. We’ve drafted…. … ….well shit.

 

[old kummelweck]

If he would sign with another team for this season then his rights would hold value.

That's a pretty far-fetched scenario for several reasons.

 

[michaelsaas]

He's kind of a spare part anyway. It would be nice to have the asset, but frankly, he's not critical to their plans. The bigger issue I have at this point is the asset is tied up until next august. They can't even use the comp pick until he doesn't sign, and no one in the right mind would trade anything for his rights.

paging Chuck Fletcher...

 

[SundherDome]

Jesus, y'all are so mad over something that didn't even happen .

The guy was drafted by a previous regime, courted by the current regime, has enjoyed his college experience and (get this) wants to win a NCAA championship (gasp). Then when a bunch of reporters interview, a college student, he gives open ended answers that do not cater to the exact words that a fan base wants to hear because ..HE HASNT MADE UP HIS MIND AFTER ONE DAY OF PRACTICE.

How about we worry about this next spring because the only person who knows what they will do is him and it doesn't sound like he knows either.

 

[Gabrielor]

I'll take him at his word. He wants to sign here.

 

[Dingo44]

Well good news because they aren’t interested in using assets to improve the team so it doesn’t matter

 

[Gabrielor]

Wrong place.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

 

[old kummelweck]

I'll take him at his word. He wants to sign here.

sounds good to me. where did he say that?

 

[Gabrielor]

sounds good to me. where did he say that?

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

sounds good to me. where did he say that?

 

[old kummelweck]

Seems a little wishy washy, but I give him high marks for standing up there an patiently answering everyone's questions. Showed really good poise.

 

[Zman5778]

Jesus, y'all are so mad over something that didn't even happen .

The guy was drafted by a previous regime, courted by the current regime, has enjoyed his college experience and (get this) wants to win a NCAA championship (gasp). Then when a bunch of reporters interview, a college student, he gives open ended answers that do not cater to the exact words that a fan base wants to hear because ..HE HASNT MADE UP HIS MIND AFTER ONE DAY OF PRACTICE.

How about we worry about this next spring because the only person who knows what they will do is him and it doesn't sound like he knows either.

Piggybacking on this:

I think everyone needs to keep in mind that he hasn't actually been in Buffalo since the dev camp of his draft year. The last 2 have been cancelled. By pretty much EVERY account, the feeling in the building(s) is so incredibly different than it was the last time he was here.

So no kidding he's unsure. He probably got culture shock (expected one thing, got something else entirely)

 

[tsujimoto74]

But what if when he said "eventually," he meant as a UFA when he's 34

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

But what if when he said "eventually," he meant as a UFA when he's 34

That would only be if no other team offered him a contract.

 

[Dirty Dog]

It’s all good. We’ve drafted…. … ….well shit.

Yea, we dont have any left-handed defensemen in this organization

Besides Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson, and Bryson.

 

[sabres4ever]

Turning pro is a big commitment. Maybe he just doesn't feel ready yet, and school is a way to delay that. It's not just a physical commitment, but a mental one as well.

Who knows what he will do in the future. I hope he signs, but you never know.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

The one advantage the Sabres will have is the ability to sign him after his college season ends and burn a year off his ELC. Whether that will outweigh being able to choose his own team I have no clue. But while I was hopeful he would sign after dev camp, those comments sound like he's going back to Minnesota.

 

[joshjull]

I’m not sure what has more value honestly. Johnson…or the second round pick combined with everyone saying guys always sign and everyone who thinks they won’t is a fool having that card taken away for a while. Again

No one has said guys always sign.

 

[dotcommunism]

The one advantage the Sabres will have is the ability to sign him after his college season ends and burn a year off his ELC. Whether that will outweigh being able to choose his own team I have no clue. But while I was hopeful he would sign after dev camp, those comments sound like he's going back to Minnesota.

Not sure that's really that much of a difference maker here. If Johnson signs next year it'll be a two-year ELC. If the first year is the end of this season, then after next season he'll end up having a pre-RFA year. That'll be after one full season as a pro. Unless he's established himself as a bona fide NHLer at that point, he's not really going to earn much, if any, more than he would on his ELC.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

Piggybacking on this:

I think everyone needs to keep in mind that he hasn't actually been in Buffalo since the dev camp of his draft year. The last 2 have been cancelled. By pretty much EVERY account, the feeling in the building(s) is so incredibly different than it was the last time he was here.

So no kidding he's unsure. He probably got culture shock (expected one thing, got something else entirely)

Power/Krebs/Sammy probably told him they’re having fun and I guarantee you that’s not what the last group of regulars told him.

 

[beerme1]

The way he speaks wouldn't be surprised to see him traded in the next few days

Hope he puts on a show then in dev camp.

It’s all good. We’ve drafted…. … ….well shit.

Seriously? Savoie is shit? You be a hater!

 

[Chainshot]

I'll take him at his word. He wants to sign here.

That's what I hear in his answers as well. *shrug*

 

[Paxon]

Seriously? Savoie is shit? You be a hater!

He's talking about defensemen, in fairness

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Next season will be his last chance to win an NCAA title. He'd be returning to a stacked team with an excellent chance at another Frozen Four berth. Totally get why he'd want to return. That decision would not be because of any concerns about the Sabres organization, nor an indication that he won't eventually sign with them.

Ditto, with variations, for Portillo and Levi. They all seem impressed with the staff and facilities. They have now personally seen the quality and depth of the young talent Buffalo has assembled. I imagine a young player would be excited to be a part of that, regardless of his path through the NCAA.

Can we at least wait until one or more actually exercises his college free agency option instead of endlessly agonizing about something that might never happen?