Free agent for Buffalo to sign from Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks are rebuilding and have been for some time now. Since the departures of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, they have been building for the future with the addition of Connor Bedard and company. Looking at their unrestricted free agents that the Buffalo Sabers need to sign, there isn’t a name that really catches my eye or makes me say “MUST SIGN.”

However, there is one player that I think could help the Sabers in a department they have struggled in, in matchups. That’s why center Tyler Johnson is the player I want Buffalo to sign from Chicago. In 67 games played this season, Johnson has scored 17 goals and recorded 14 assists. Even though he was -35 on the year, his worst plus/minus of his career, I don’t think that’s a red flag.

He was playing on one of the worst teams in the league, so that shouldn’t stop the Sabers from trying to sign him. While he’s not the great player he was in Tampa Bay, he would be a solid addition to Buffalo.

The 33-year-old has only had three seasons in which he scored single-digit goals. His experience is one of the reasons why the Sabers should try to sign the forward. He has been in the league for 12 years and has won the Stanley Cup twice. His experience could help this young Sabers team take the next step.

General manager Kevyn Adams said he was looking to add a third-line center this offseason and that Johnson would be the ideal candidate. He won 44.4% of faceoffs, while Buffalo, as a team, won 45%.

At his age, I don’t think he’ll be asking for a crazy amount of money. The next team I will talk about is the Colorado Avalanche.