As the National Hockey League enters the second month of free agency, a number of former Buffalo Sabres still remain unsigned. At this point of the offseason, players who have not latched on with an NHL club might consider playing in Europe, or taking a short-term deal or professional tryout to earn a one-year deal.
Marcus Johansson is the Webster’s Dictionary definition of a journeyman, having played for six NHL clubs during his 16-year career. After starting in 2010 and spending his first seven seasons in Washington, the 35-year-old has played for New Jersey, Boston, Buffalo (during the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season), Minnesota, Seattle, a return to the Capitals, and then the last four seasons back with the Wild.
Advertisement
Other Sabres Stories
Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss
Will the Sabres add scoring help between now and the start of training camp?
Johansson’s best offensive years were during his first stint with Washington, where he posted a career-high 58 points (24 goals, 34 assists) in 2016-17, but for the most part, he has settled into a middle-six depth forward who scores in the 30-40 point range. Last season, with the Wild, he compiled 49 points (15 goals, 34 assists), four goals in the playoffs, and played for Sweden at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, yet he had not been re-signed by Minnesota GM Bill Guerin.
Advertisement
There was some thought that the veteran forward was in a holding pattern waiting for the Wild to offer him another one-year deal, but the 35-year-old in early June signed a deal to return home to play with Farjestad, which likely marks the end of his NHL career.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo
Read the full article here