Johansson fills several holes for Sabers

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The Sabers did practically nothing during the first week of free time. Some rookies of players who will probably be in Rochester. On the sixth day of free competition, the Sabers signed the grand finale.

Having Johansson sign a two-year contract valued at $ 4.5 million a year is an excellent value for the Sabers in a free agent market that normally sees overpaid players. The value is good and the player is good. Johansson fulfills several roles that the Sabers need.

Before talking about Johansson's place in the five-by-five line combinations, there is one role he will almost certainly occupy. Last season, Evan Rodrigues was the player of the second Sabers power play that allowed the puck to enter the area. He agreed, but not great.

Meanwhile, Johansson scored the Bruins' second power play and is one of the least popular players in the area.

Johansson is a left shooter who plays the half-wall with the advantage of a man. It might be tempting to place him in the first unit with Eichel, Reinhart and Dahlin. For me, Victor Olofsson better fits this place with his shot. Eichel & Dahlin should be the men of the first unit, and Johansson do it in the second unit.

Now for five out of five. What makes Johansson so attractive as a player is his versatility. He can play and played the three advanced positions, including the center. Johansson might not be the best option for the Sabers. Last season Saber's Casey Mittelstadt, Johan Larsson and Vladimir Sobotka had 52 points in 219 games. Johansson has amassed 41 points in 80 games, including the playoffs.

Johansson could be a bridge center for Mittelstadt. If Mittelstadt is not ready, at any point in his sophomore year, to be in the top six, Johansson may be enough. If Mittelstadt takes a big step forward and seems ready, Johansson can slide the wing on the second line or play in the third line in the center. He has many options with him.

In good health, Johansson is a player at 40-50 points. The biggest concern with signing is that he is not always healthy. In the past two seasons, he has missed a total of 78 games due to an injury. Many of these were due to two concussions.

This is not Kyle Okposo or Matt Moulson 2.0. The Sabers do not take a lot of risk in this deal with Johansson, since it's only for two years. This is exactly the type of movement that the Sabers needed and they did it.

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