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

[Gras]

It's obvious he'll get traded to a team in California or go there as a free agent:

- Johnson is from Irvine
- Dad played for the Kings and Ducks
- Dad has been on staff with multiple California teams
- Drafted with 31st overall pick. California was the 31st state
- Dad was born in Minnesota, a liberal state. He attends the U of Minnesota. California is a liberal state.
- Dad played in Salzburg (sound of music). California is where music is produced
- Dad was drafted 33rd overall. Ronald Reagan was the 33rd governor of California
- Born in 2001. Rob Blake was traded in 2001 from the Kings to the Avs
- Ducks became a team in 1993. His father turned pro in 1993

It's all right there, folks. Read between the lines......

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

There doesn't seem to be a mod warning on post 1353

 

[BUCKSHOT]

There doesn't seem to be a mod warning on post 1353

try #1363

 

[Dingo44]

Minnesota - Ohio State still 0-0 in the second on ESPN U

 

[Chainshot]

Minnesota - Ohio State still 0-0 in the second on ESPN U

Minny 4-0

 

[brian_griffin]

Hey, he knows "the spot".

That's a really nice goal. Regardless of whether Johnson signs or not, and regardless of whether Johnson is a defense-first d-man, the Sabres could use:
1. a couple d-men who can snipe the corners, and,
2. forwards who willingly and effectively screen the goalie.

Too much perimeter play by the forwards and, other than Dahlin, no BUF D are a threat to score.
Yes, I know the forwards are lighting the lamp, and the Sabres are tied for #2 in the league in goals-for per game, but Dahlin has 2/3 of their blue-line goals.
It's Christmas when a d-man other than Dahlin scores. Power's shot is soft, IMO. Bryson isn't afraid to shoot, but isn't a long-term answer due to his d-zone liabilities. Samuelsson doesn't shoot (deferring to Dahlin is fine). Boosh is deadly on the breakaway slapper, but not from the point. Joker is middling. The rest...

We have 5 more weeks to see if either of the above changes (Johnson sign or not after frozen four, or a better 2023 d-upgrade than Stillman).

 

[kirby11]

That's a really nice goal. Regardless of whether Johnson signs or not, and regardless of whether Johnson is a defense-first d-man, the Sabres could use:
1. a couple d-men who can snipe the corners, and,
2. forwards who willingly and effectively screen the goalie.

Too much perimeter play by the forwards and, other than Dahlin, no BUF D are a threat to score.
Yes, I know the forwards are lighting the lamp, and the Sabres are tied for #2 in the league in goals-for per game, but Dahlin has 2/3 of their blue-line goals.
It's Christmas when a d-man other than Dahlin scores. Power's shot is soft, IMO. Bryson isn't afraid to shoot, but isn't a long-term answer due to his d-zone liabilities. Samuelsson doesn't shoot (deferring to Dahlin is fine). Boosh is deadly on the breakaway slapper, but not from the point. Joker is middling. The rest...

We have 5 more weeks to see if either of the above changes (Johnson sign or not after frozen four, or a better 2023 d-upgrade than Stillman).

Sammy doesn't shoot a ton, but is surprisingly active in the o-zone and on the rush when he has the chance. Joker bugs me the most out of all the others in the offensive end with how often he'll demand the puck from Power to just toss a harmless wrister into the goalie's chest.

 

[Ace]

Sammy doesn't shoot a ton, but is surprisingly active in the o-zone and on the rush when he has the chance. Joker bugs me the most out of all the others in the offensive end with how often he'll demand the puck from Power to just toss a harmless wrister into the goalie's chest.

Joker turns the puck over whenever it’s on his stick. Whether it’s a terrible pass or that horrible shot

 

[toddkaz]

If Adams signs Johnson it will shut me up until the offseason. I am not very happy about the trade deadline but getting Johnson under contract pushes Bryson and Clague off this roster.

 

[Djp]

If Adams signs Johnson it will shut me up until the offseason. I am not very happy about the trade deadline but getting Johnson under contract pushes Bryson and Clague off this roster.

Even signed this year, Johnson likely plays in Rochester next year with call ups. 24/25 likeky on Sabres. MCCabe did that

 

[toddkaz]

Even signed this year, Johnson likely plays in Rochester next year with call ups. 24/25 likeky on Sabres. MCCabe did that

I would be happy with that. I think Ruhwedel was the same. Got some NHL games when he signed then bounced between Rochester and Buffalo.

 

[Zman5778]

Even signed this year, Johnson likely plays in Rochester next year with call ups. 24/25 likeky on Sabres. MCCabe did that

"Likely" seems like too strong of a word to me. He plays a very mature game. I absolutely see a world in which Johnson outright wins the 3rd pair LHD spot in camp.

 

[toddkaz]

"Likely" seems like too strong of a word to me. He plays a very mature game. I absolutely see a world in which Johnson outright wins the 3rd pair LHD spot in camp.

Even if he didn't(And I am with you on that he sticks) He would be first call up and probably stick.

 

[Djp]

Even if he didn't(And I am with you on that he sticks) He would be first call up and probably stick.

they might do something like Samuelsson they play in Rochester till Xmas then gets called up and stays.

 

[Jim Bob]

they might do something like Samuelsson they play in Rochester till Xmas then gets called up and stays.

I do think there would be a chance that he looks so good in camp that they can't send him down.

 

[Djp]

I do think there would be a chance that he looks so good in camp that they can't send him down.

sure its possible.,

 

[Ace]

"Likely" seems like too strong of a word to me. He plays a very mature game. I absolutely see a world in which Johnson outright wins the 3rd pair LHD spot in camp.

I’m having a hard time seeing a world where he doesn’t.

 

[Jim Bob]

I’m having a hard time seeing a world where he doesn’t.

I could see a world where Adams and Granato like Stillman as the 3rd LHD more than Johnson and feel like Johnson could use time in Rochester.

 

[Gras]

I’m having a hard time seeing a world where he doesn’t.

Because you don't think hes good enough or because you think he wont have a contract.

 

[Zman5778]

I could see a world where Adams and Granato like Stillman as the 3rd LHD more than Johnson and feel like Johnson could use time in Rochester.

And regardless of his struggles this year, Bryson is still in the mix. For as much as his play cratered this year, it's not unheard of for a guy to just have a down year. Maybe he bounces back in a big way. Possibly. Is it likely? No. But it's possible.

 

[Dubi Doo]

"Likely" seems like too strong of a word to me. He plays a very mature game. I absolutely see a world in which Johnson outright wins the 3rd pair LHD spot in camp.

Yup. I think he has a good shot.

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power- XXX
Johnson-Lyubushkin
Stillman

Just find that #4RD, and this defense is set for a while.

 

[Irie]

I don't think there is a defenseman in the NCAA that wouldn't benefit from some time in the AHL before playing in the NHL.

If Johnson signs, I think he starts the season in Rochester. Expecting him to come in and not play at a level that will make him this boards new whipping boy is probably not realistic imo.

Give him 30+ games in the minors, let him adjust to the speed and physical demands there before calling him up and throwing him to the wolves.

 

[alehman42]

Yup. I think he has a good shot.

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power- XXX
Johnson-Lyubushkin
Stillman

Just find that #4RD, and this defense is set for a while.

Quoting mostly to agree with this...as much as we all complain about the defense, they're really only missing one piece.

Samuelsson-Dahlin is a very good first pair.

Jokiharju, Lyubushkin, Stillman, Johnson, and Bryson fighting it out for spots #5-7 is fine.

They just need to find that other top-4 RHD to play with Power.

(Glass-half-empty contingent: "Yeah, but we've known about that need for nearly a year and Adams hasn't done sh*t!" ...and you have a point there.)

 

[Jim Bob]

I don't think there is a defenseman in the NCAA that wouldn't benefit from some time in the AHL before playing in the NHL.

If Johnson signs, I think he starts the season in Rochester. Expecting him to come in and not play at a level that will make him this boards new whipping boy is probably not realistic imo.

Give him 30+ games in the minors, let him adjust to the speed and physical demands there before calling him up and throwing him to the wolves.

I believe that it is within the realm of possibility that Johnson earns the 3rd LHD spot out of camp or that he doesn't and he gets sent to Rochester.

Johnson is unique in that few 1st round pick D play all four years in the NCAA. As such, he is way more developed than your usual first year pro. So, I would not make blanket assumptions about how things go for him if he signs with the Sabres.

 

[Ace]

I don't think there is a defenseman in the NCAA that wouldn't benefit from some time in the AHL before playing in the NHL.

If Johnson signs, I think he starts the season in Rochester. Expecting him to come in and not play at a level that will make him this boards new whipping boy is probably not realistic imo.

Give him 30+ games in the minors, let him adjust to the speed and physical demands there before calling him up and throwing him to the wolves.

I’m not saying he should win the job. I’m saying the people he’s competing with are dogshit.