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

[dugman]

I will willingly watch some Minnnesota games this year, with the idea that Johnson and Huglen might be Sabres some day, and because Minnesota plays interesting hockey. I will never forgive Petersen and Hurley for making me watch several Notre Dame games and root for them for no reason whatsoever.

 

[Chainshot]

I will willingly watch some Minnnesota games this year, with the idea that Johnson and Huglen might be Sabres some day, and because Minnesota plays interesting hockey. I will never forgive Petersen and Hurley for making me watch several Notre Dame games and root for them for no reason whatsoever.

Motzko is a very good coach and gets a lot out of his rosters. He'll also have Logan Cooley coming aboard this year as their plumb recruit and Huglen may get time on Cooley's wing too. Johnson should still get turns on PP2 and be an ES workhorse. I'm curious how Chesley works into the rotation on defense as well.

 

[dotcommunism]

Isn't the biggest reason that Buffalo is the only team that can burn a year off his ELC? That's potentially worth a lot of money to a player.

I ran the numbers somewhere, and as I recall, burning the ELC year really only makes a significant difference if the player immediately turns into an impact player in the NHL.

One thing I can't understand is why the compensatory pick would be at the end of the SECOND round? Wouldn't common sense say that it should be at the end of the first? I swear this entire league is run by people dumber than a goldfish.

I'd assume that it's done that way to discourage teams from walking away from 1st round picks that they've soured on since the draft.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

A factor I think we tend to overlook is player sentiment.

Both players are returning to Final Four programs that have as good a shot as any team to repeat. This will be the last chance for each to win a national title with teammates who share strong ties of friendship and loyalty.

It's not strictly a matter of development and money and making the NHL.

 

[sabremike]

I ran the numbers somewhere, and as I recall, burning the ELC year really only makes a significant difference if the player immediately turns into an impact player in the NHL.

I'd assume that it's done that way to discourage teams from walking away from 1st round picks that they've soured on since the draft.

A seemingly easy fix would be you have to offer an ELC to the player in his final year of eligibility to get the comp pick if turned down.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

A seemingly easy fix would be you have to offer an ELC to the player in his final year of eligibility to get the comp pick if turned down.

Pretty sure that's already the case. Comp picks require a bona fide offer to have been made to the player.

 

[Husko]

I still maintain the strongest and easiest way to "fix" the issue would be to get the NCAA to change their rules to allow players to sign futures contracts so long as they dont start earning on the contract until after they graduate. Teams can commit to the player earlier - and thereby get the player to commit to the team - without ripping away their collegiate eligibility.

 

[Jim Bob]

I still maintain the strongest and easiest way to "fix" the issue would be to get the NCAA to change their rules to allow players to sign futures contracts so long as they dont start earning on the contract until after they graduate. Teams can commit to the player earlier - and thereby get the player to commit to the team - without ripping away their collegiate eligibility.

Good luck with that.

Even with the NIL changes, I doubt you see the NC$$ going there.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

I still maintain the strongest and easiest way to "fix" the issue would be to get the NCAA to change their rules to allow players to sign futures contracts so long as they dont start earning on the contract until after they graduate. Teams can commit to the player earlier - and thereby get the player to commit to the team - without ripping away their collegiate eligibility.

And sully the NCAA's sterling reputation as a bastion of unadulterated amateur sport combined with academic excellence?

 

[dotcommunism]

Pretty sure that's already the case. Comp picks require a bona fide offer to have been made to the player.

Right but: 1), bona fide offers are made a year after the draft, and the drafted players rights are (usually) held for at least another year after that, 2) teams do not have to make bona fide offers for draftees playing in college or in Europe.

 

[debaser66]

Johnson said he intends to sign here and I expect that to happen right after Minnesota’s done.

He’s given us no reason to think he won’t play games for the Sabres this season If they continue to treat him and the rest of their prospects with the professionalism and respect that they have.

That so many of you are convinced otherwise based on nothing other than the fact he could says more about you than anything else.

Good player. Having him and Lyubushkin pushing Jokiharju battling for the 4/5/6 spots should complete next year’s corps nicely

I sincerly hope that you don't have to eat your own phone, Satan

 

[jmelm]

The way things are going in the league, the more that left-handed Dmen are going to have to start playing RD -- just was so often the case back 10, 20, 30+ years ago. And like Dahlin is doing now.

If Johnson can do that, he has a place in the top 4 here.

There's still a disproportionate amount of LHD and who knows how much that gap may or may not close in the years ahead, but it's not happening in the very near term.

 

[Dingo44]

Corey Pronman's NHL Pipeline Rankings: No. 1 Buffalo Sabres' future looks bright

Ranking the top prospects and under-23 players in the organization. Plus, what to expect of every player.

theathletic.com

11. Ryan Johnson, D

20 years old | 6 feet | 170 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 31 in 2019
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Johnson didn’t take a step forward as a junior this season, but he is what he is. He’s a steady two-way defenseman who lacks offensive flash. Due to his excellent skating ability, I still rate him highly even if some scouts around the league are starting to become lukewarm on him. His offensive ability will never excite, but I see first pass offense as a pro to go with excellent transitional ability and good enough defending to be a 4/5 defenseman.

 

[Buffalo Norsemen]

keep raising that trade value

 

[Ace]

His ability to walk keeps it low. And someone has to beat a second rounder to make it worth trading him.

 

[Buffalo Norsemen]

His ability to walk keeps it low. And someone has to beat a second rounder to make it worth trading him.

If he uses his leverage not to play here a 2nd is best case IMO.

 

[tsujimoto74]

If he uses his leverage not to play here a 2nd is best case IMO.

A 2nd is the absolute worst case scenario because that's what we get as a compensatory pick if he doesn't sign.
That said, I don't get why everyone is so certain he won't sign. I think he probably signs once his college season is over and burns an ELC year suiting up for some Sabres games in the spring.

 

[Buffalo Norsemen]

A 2nd is the absolute worst case scenario because that's what we get as a compensatory pick if he doesn't sign.
That said, I don't get why everyone is so certain he won't sign. I think he probably signs once his college season is over and burns an ELC year suiting up for some Sabres games in the spring.

compensatory is at the bottom of the round, a deal might get you mid round and up and or another piece. I hope he does sign, but I'm not expecting it tbh.

 

[old kummelweck]

A 2nd is the absolute worst case scenario because that's what we get as a compensatory pick if he doesn't sign.
That said, I don't get why everyone is so certain he won't sign. I think he probably signs once his college season is over and burns an ELC year suiting up for some Sabres games in the spring.

Buring that first year is about all the leverage Adams has at this point.

 

[Matt Ress]

Best case if he's not going to sign, make public a few places he's willing to go (if there's more than one). That way we can at least create some sort of competition for his rights. Otherwise, if another team knows he wants to come play for them, why give anything up. And if another team doesn't know he wants to be on their team, why give anything up.

In this hypothetical, he would have to want to play for a couple different teams and make it known. The upside for him is that he lands on his short list of cities and gets to burn a year. The upside for us of course is higher value than the comp pick and the receiving team gets a developed player for a 2nd or 1st if we're lucky.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

compensatory is at the bottom of the round, a deal might get you mid round and up and or another piece. I hope he does sign, but I'm not excepting it tbh.

Top 50 pick might be best we get. He's not signing in Buffalo. Goodbye.

 

[Chainshot]

keep raising that trade value

Nice play by Johnson to get it toward the net. He's got some excellent tools, would love to see his production jump this year as he grows in his role. UM should be a power again in their conference and in the NCAA overall.

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

Has he been playing the left side?

 

[Chainshot]

Has he been playing the left side?

More left than right since his rookie year.

 

[elchud]

Best chance of signing him would be to trade Bryson for a pick, if/when we are out of playoff contention. RyJo signs, stays in Buffalo after NCAA playoffs, burns year 1 and is given the 3rd pairing spot.