2.5 million per year (Johnson) vs. 1.4 million per year (Lack) is the main reason I suspect that we did not sign Johnson. Wanted that extra cap space.
Johnson vs Lack + prospect likely the trade discussion or
Johnson vs goalie prospect
A goalie has to be going the other way given lack of spaces on the farm. If it is not Lack, it is one of our goalie prospects. The only one I would give away now would be McDonald but not enough for Buffalo. Hopefully not Rittich.
A trade for Johnson does not make sense for me now without trying Rittich for a few games with big club. For some reason they are not ready to try Rittich despite his 0.925 2 yr save percentage.
2016-17 Reg Season 31 2.27 816 .924
2016-17 Playoffs 4 2.88 88 .917
2017-18 Reg Season 6 2.17 175 .931
AHL to NHL equivalent for Save Percentage is a drop of 0.07 or so which puts Rittich at 0.918 which would be a very adequate backup! Lets give that a try first before a Sabre goalie trade.
Source:
https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2...ave-percentage
Year 1 Year 2 Average
AHL 0.917 0.918 0.917
NHL 0.910 0.910 0.910
