Photo Credit: AP Photo / Chris O’Meara
Erik Johnson, 36, netted three goals and 24 penalty minutes in 50 games with Buffalo Sabres last season. He was traded to the Flyers for a 2024 fourth round pick, as they were decimated with injuries on the backend, to include Jamie Drysdale, Nick Seeler, and Rasmus Ristolainen. To make matters worse, Cam York and Travis Sanheim were a bit banged up from blocking shots, so It was nice to have that veteran, depth presence that Johnson provided.
The Flyers re-signed him to a one-year deal, worth an AAV of $1 million. He may have just earned that contractor one day yesterday. Johnson says he will help Matvei Michkov with whatever he needs, especially since he’s young and coming to a new country, new culture. He said whether that be recommendations, help with practices, scheduling, he’s here for him. Johnson said that both he and Michkov have communicated with each other, via The Instagram translator tool.
Johnson re-signing made sense for the the Flyers, especially after he talks up Matvei Michkov, “Looks like Philly has a good one on their hands for a long time,” Johnson said of Michkov yesterday. For those that questioned why the Flyers were signed Johnson, this is exactly why. He will help groom the youth, and do whatever coaching staff asks of him to help the youth. Johnson said he’s not worried about playing time, he just wants to do whatever is best for the team and coaching staff. Whether, that’s playing in two games and then sitting for three. He just wants to help the team as much as possible.
The 6’4, 225-pound, Defenseman in Johnson hails from Bloomington, Minnesota. He led the Sabres in shorthanded time on-ice (152:31) and in shorthanded TOI/game (3:03). Moreover, he has registered 93 hits, and has blocked 68 shots. For his career, Johnson has tallied 340 points (91g, 249a for 340 points) in 17 seasons in the NHL, all with the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, and the Buffalo Sabres. He also won the 2021-22 Stanley Cup with the Avalanche and served as an alternate captain for six seasons with Colorado and for one season with the Blues.
Johnson did say that everyone in the Flyers organization was very welcoming, and that he loves playing for the City of Philadelphia. He speaks very highly of Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella and the rest of the Flyers coaching staff.
“I have talked to a lot of guys that have stepped into retirement and it has been their choice. Wait until they tell you no more. Don’t do it yourself, let them rip the jersey off you,'” Johnson continued to say with the zoom press conference with the media on Thursday. “So I’m going to play as long as I can. As long as my body feels good, and I still have that passion. Even in the gym right now getting ready for another season. I still have that drive, love the competition. I love being in the room with the guys, love going on the road, and playing meaningful games.”
