Photo Credit: NHL.com
The trade deadline came and went in the blink of an eye, and the Flyers acquired two depth pieces: Denis Gurianov (LW) and Erik Johnson (RHD). Johnson, 35, will don the number 77, while Gurianov will don the number 15. Here is a little more information about both, as both are on the active roster, so they might actually play tonight for the orange and black.
Erik Johnson
Johnson, 35, netted three goals and 24 penalty minutes in 50 games with Buffalo Sabres this season. He was traded to the Flyers for a 2024 4th round pick, as they have been decimated with injuries on the backend, to include Jamie Drysdale,.Nick Seeler, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Cam York is also a bit banged up from blocking shots.
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.
“I’m not expecting Erik Johnson to replace Sean Walker,” Briere said yesterday. Briere wanted him to come on board because he’s played in the playoffs and won a Cup, so Briere is hoping that Johnson helps the youth with tutelage in crunch time.
Denis Gurianov
Denis Gurianov could be a reclamation project, much like Wade Allison in Nashville. He is fast, and can shoot the puck. It appears he suffered from consistency and confidence issues. Gurianov, 26, has spent time this season with the Nashville Predators and the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL. He stands at 6’3, and weighs 205 pounds. He hails from Girianative of Tolyatti, Russia, and has tallied two points (1g,1a) in 14 games with the Predators.
Believe it or not, Gurianov is tied for third on the Admirals in power-play goals with three. Maybe he could be an integral part with the orange and black in this area. He has a career high four points in one game against the Chicago Blackhawks (2g,2a).
Gurianov has registered 113 points for his his career (52g,61a) in the NHL with 13 Power Play goals, and eight GWG in 294 career NHL games with the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, and the Nashville Predators.
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“He’s interesting, 6’3 left winger that can skate like him,” Briere said yesterday about Gurianov. “The fact he’s had some success in big games, playoff games a few years ago. If he catches fire again, we’re a little thin on the left side, and he has speed. Who knows where that goes.”
