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Buffalo Sabres: Ryan Johnson’s return to school was the right call

By Sion Fawkes

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Ryan Johnson poses for a portrait after being selected thirty-first overall by the Buffalo Sabres during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Ryan Johnson poses for a portrait after being selected thirty-first overall by the Buffalo Sabres during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /
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The Buffalo Sabres caught positive vibes with Ryan Johnson at development camp, but he will still return to the University of Minnesota. 

The Buffalo Sabres have a deep prospect pool at defenseman and plenty of talent on the main roster. So for Ryan Johnson, it meant a potential logjam at the rotation in both the NHL and the AHL, which could have translated into less playing time at least early on.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Golden Gophers figure to be in the running for a National Championship. And with Johnson having become a key fixture with the program, it makes sense why he decided to return. It was either face potentially limited minutes in Rochester, or return to Minnesota knowing he was going to maximize his playing time.

Johnson’s return to school is the best thing that could have happened to both him and the Buffalo Sabres this season.

If you’re new to the NHL prospect landscape, not all hope is lost if Johnson doesn’t sign. The Sabres would still get a compensatory second round pick. However, this actually works out in the best interest of all parties involved.

The Sabres most likely have their top seven defensemen for the season in Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, Henri Jokiharju, Ilya Lyubushkin, Jacob Bryson, and Casey Fitzgerald. Then in Rochester, they have Lawrence Pilut, Chase Priskie, Kale Clague, Jeremy Davies, Oskari Laaksonen, and Ethan Prow.

If I’m Ryan Johnson, I’m heading back to school too, as it gives me a better chance to further develop my own game. Something he has done since first receiving ample playing time with the Golden Gophers, especially since he needed to work on his offensive game, mainly producing points.

With so much talent in Buffalo and Rochester, Johnson would have it tough to maximize his ice time, and therefore, developmental opportunity. While his contributions on offense have improved, they could improve further. Minnesota gives him the best chance to do that.

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He also had nothing but good things to say about the organization, which is another positive note. Overall, much of the talent in Rochester are on one and two-year deals. This could play into Johnson’s hands following his senior season at Minnesota, and I fully expect him to sign with the Buffalo Sabres.

Article Source: Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson still returning to Minnesota for senior season by Lance Lysowski

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