The Buffalo Sabres did next to nothing in the first week of free agency aside from a few signings that will immediately impact the Rochester Americans.
Johansson fills multiple roles that the Sabres need.
Before talking about where Johansson fits in with line combinations at even strength, there's one role he will almost surely fill.
Eichel and Dahlin should be the zone entry men on the first unit, with Johansson doing it on the second unit.
Now for his play at five-on-five.
What makes Johansson so attractive as a player is his versatility. He can play, and has played, all three forward positions, including center. Without a big trade to bring in a second line center, Johansson might be the Sabres' best option. Last season, Casey Mittelstadt, Johan Larsson, and Vladimir Sobotka combined for 52 points in 219 games played. In 80 games, including playoffs, Johansson had 41 points.
Johansson could be a bridge center for Mittelstadt. If Mittelstadt isn't ready at any point in his second year to be a top-six centerman, Johansson can suffice. If Mittelstadt takes a big step forward and does look ready, Johansson can slide to the wing on the second line, or play third line center.
There will be plenty of options available for head coach Ralph Krueger to plug and place Johansson into the lineup.
When Johansson is consistently in the lineup, he has proven to be a 40-50-point player. The biggest worry with the signing is that he hasn't always been healthy. In the last two seasons, Johansson has missed a total of 78 games due to injury with many of those games missed being due to two concussions.
This isn't Kyle Okposo or Matt Moulson 2.0. The Sabres are not taking much risk in this Johansson deal, given it's only for two years.
It's exactly the type of move the Sabres needed and they got it done.
