The former backup goaltender for the Sabres is headed back to Buffalo with a one-year deal worth $2.5M.
G Chad Johnson to BUF.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2017
With Cal Petersen headed to the Los Angeles Kings and Anders Nilsson an unrestricted free agent, the Sabres need a backup goaltender. Linus Ullmark may not be ready to make a full-time leap from the AHL to the NHL, and he can benefit from another year of development with the Amerks. The Sabres have still yet to agree to terms with Robin Lehner.
Johnson performed admirably during the 2015-16 season with the Sabres, going 22-16-4 with a 2.36 GAA and a .920 save percentage.
Since then he went to Calgary, his hometown, but the goaltender loved Buffalo. The Flames then traded Johnson to Arizona, but he’s an unrestricted free agent, and can talk with any teams all week. He is not able to sign with anyone until Saturday.
Johnson recently turned 31, and has played for six different teams over the last six seasons.