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

  • Work is still on-going to rebuild the site styling and features. Please report any issues you may experience so we can look into it. Click Here for Updates
It's not really "leaks", it's talking points to drive the media narratives and online discussion. In this specific example, the idea of that the Sabres were 'deciding between signing him or taking the picks' magically surfaced when Johnson didn't sign immediately. It wasn't reported anywhere that taking the pick was even a consideration. It's like how the broadcast talking points switched to ' the future is bright' when the Sabres dropped out of the playoff race in mid march.

There is a concerted effort here to control how the local media covers the Sabres, moreso since Adams took over than any other GM in memory. It really was obvious when the Eichel situation broke open. The local media turned on Eichel quicker than I have ever seen. It didn't happen with Peca, it didn't happen with Hasek. Just magically, the problem wasn't ownership, it wasn't management, it was Eichel all along.

They didn't "turn on" Hasek many of them were already dead against him. Hell, one fought him.

I seem to remember the media turning on Peca too.
 
Dreger talking out of his ass. He's talking like the Sabres have another year on Johnson. He doesn't even know the situation.

Every NCAA player can technically play five seasons if they were on a roster during the 2019-20 season.

The CBA reads somewhat unclear, but says the signing rights are retained “through the graduation of his college class”. I am not sure if any drafted player has chosen to play five years yet and if there is precedence for the rights being retained during the extra year.

Not saying it’s realistic - just playing devil’s advocate.

many times players got extra years due to injuries. If they return to college or do the grad yr transfer the drafting team still keep their rights. Post 4 yrs from draft…If they are in school the 30 day rule kicks in if they turn pro before Jan 1. After Jan 2 it’s then thru college year to aug 15.
His rights being traded wouldn't change anything about his ability to go to FA though.

Also anybody trading for his rights would have to offer up at least a 2nd rnd pick to make it worthwhile for the sabres. So even if the sabres knew he wasn't signing all along, doubtful they could find a buyer to give more value than just letting him walk.

because of COVID pretty much all college athletes get a 5 th yr of eligibility if they want to use it.

Could Johnson return to Minnesota for 23/24? Yes

if he is on Minnesota after Jan 2 his rights will go thru august 15 2024.

this season his signing deadline is august 15 if he says he is turning pro.

with Portillo because he played D+1 in USHL he was only finished with year 3 but 4 th yr post draft which thrn the 30 day UFA thing relative to June 1 applied.
 
What's the latest rumors, if any, on Johnson? I'm starting to get worried
Ahhh I find it hard to believe he's signing with us if he's not gonna be playing in any of these games.

While it will be a bummer seeing him walk, I don't think it's something to be worried about. I think it'll do more damage to his career walking away from us than our franchise will miss having him. Use that 2nd as part of a bigger package and go get some immediate help, we'll send ya a post card kid.

Sabres have done a great job of developing young talent in this new regime and Johnson has a wide open door to take advantage.
 
Use that 2nd as part of a bigger package and go get some immediate help.
Between who Adams has given contracts to/acquired on D and his complete unwillingness/inability to land a big fish in trade…

I’d much rather Johnson signs than we get that pick

It has no bearing on Adams bringing in a better D. He had the resources and the money to do so. And there Is nothing to point to and say he knows what a good D looks like
 
So…..I guess the chance of him signing to burn a year by playing against CLB tonight is around +/- 0.001% ?

If burning a year wasn’t the concern, then what’s the hold up in getting your ass to Rochester, RyJo?
 
Seems to me like he has the idea in his head all season to sign with another team, Anaheim or Minnesota being the obvious two candidates. What he has said and how he had acted all lines up with this. He has been polite and said the right things, kinda sorta. Hasn't burned any bridges and hasn't shown any excitement to sign. This is all very understandable. Not every girl will want to be your girlfriend, I learned that one a long time ago.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Genny Screamer
So…..I guess the chance of him signing to burn a year by playing against CLB tonight is around +/- 0.001% ?

If burning a year wasn’t the concern, then what’s the hold up in getting your ass to Rochester, RyJo?
I think Johnson is considering whether it is worth it to sign now or to wait and test FA.

The Maintenance Day scenario where he signs an ATO and waits on the ELC until after the Calder Cup playoffs was a weird possible scenario.

I think it may be a case where Johnson wanted to burn the first year of the ELC and the Sabres were not willing to do it. And so there is some consideration as to what the best thing for Johnson is.
 
If I had to guess, it was a staredown where Johnson wanted to burn Year 1 of the ELC and Buffalo felt the compensatory pick was enough to insist that he go to Rochester and not burn the first year of the ELC. If so, time will tell if Buffalo was smart to stick to its guns. My guess is they'll use the pick in a trade.
 
Why it's the same for every draftee except Russians. No one is forced to sign with the team that drafts them, the NCAA is the only one that gives a compensatory pick for 1rd.
NCAA players are also at the disadvantage compared to their peers. Excluding Russians, drafted players with rights expiring have their rights expire June 30th, giving them the opportunity to sign with a team when free agency opens. NCAA players have to wait until mid-August
 
Why it's the same for every draftee except Russians. No one is forced to sign with the team that drafts them, the NCAA is the only one that gives a compensatory pick for 1rd.
The difference is that you can sign a player in those other leagues and they can STILL PLAY in those leagues. The NCAA system drives players to the brink of free agency just by virtue of wanting to finish school. That doesn’t happen in any other league except in Russia which is why you hold their rights forever. Ostlund is in Sweden under contract. Savoie is in juniors under contract. College players aren’t allowed to sign…and as time moves on they get closer to a dangling carrot that screws the team that drafted them.

The only other place where they aren’t allowed to sign deals and play…results in not losing their rights ever. This one says you can’t sign the player while they’re there…and they can walk on you.
 
Then the problem is the NCAA itself and their ludicrous pretension about being an amateur non-profit organisation, not the NHL rules around players rights.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ehran
Then the problem is the NCAA itself, not the NHL rules around players rights.
The issue is all about the NHL CBA and how long teams can hold onto the draft rights to players that are drafted out of Jr A and the NCAA.

If teams held their rights for 1 year beyond the season where players use up their college eligibility, then these tail case scenarios would not occur.

But, to get that from the NHLPA, the NHL would have to give something up. And the league likely does not feel it is worth it as it does not really happen that often as the vast majority of players that go the NCAA route either sign with the team that holds their rights or the team that holds their rights has no interest in offering a contract.
 
  • Like
Reactions: barriers
Then the problem is the NCAA itself and their ludicrous pretension about being an amateur non-profit organisation, not the NHL rules around players rights.
Too bad the Pegula's don't own a marketing firm. Then they could have spent some NIL money on NCAA players. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: HOOats
I have to think if he's not signed today he goes UFA right? He'd have to sign this afternoon AND pass a physical to play in Columbus tonight right?

Even if the they opt the ATO route, he'd have to get to Rochester for the Cleveland games this weekend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BUCKSHOT
I have to think if he's not signed today he goes UFA right? He'd have to sign this afternoon AND pass a physical to play in Columbus tonight right?

Even if the they opt the ATO route, he'd have to get to Rochester for the Cleveland games this weekend.
Even in a game that couldn't matter less in the standings I can't see us playing a rookie who hasn't so much as practiced once with the team. Unless he just gets a quick shift expressly to burn the ELC year and then parks it for the rest of the game.
 
I just wish someone would be honest in this situation.

Adams - The talks were really positive. So positive he doesn't sign?


He isn't playing tonight so the odds are he is walking.

We’re just waiting. Anybody besides Johnson or the Sabres themselves telling you anything, is making it up.
Does Brisson count?
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Please disable your adblocker on HFBoards.com

It looks like your adblocker is attempting to interfere with the intended operation of this site. Support us by allowing our site to function as we intended. Please disable your adblocker and add us to your allowlist.

Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not using a blocker. Why am I seeing this message?
You're likely seeing this message because an app or extension on your computer is blocking ads. The app or extension may be a "privacy" or "malware" blocker, or a VPN.

I disabled my blocker. Why am I still seeing this message?
It's common to have two or more adblocking extensions running at the same time. See the question above.