Ex-sabres Report: Logan Stanley Signs, Jonas Johansson Traded, Waiver Wire

As the National Hockey League opens the regular season on Tuesday, the Buffalo Sabres added some defensive depth with the signing of veteran Matt Grzelcyk, but did not go down the road of bringing back big blueliner Logan Stanley. The 28-year-old former Winnipeg first-rounder was acquired from the Jets along with Luke Schenn by the Sabres for Isak Rosen, Jacob Bryson, and two draft picks at the trade deadline, and played mostly in a third-pairing role, posting five assists in 17 regular-season games, and was in the lineup for eight of Buffalo’s 13 playoff games. 

Coming off a career-high 26 points last season, and with a very thin crop of defensive free agents on the market, Stanley was in a prime position to get overpaid and get some term on a deal, but clearly he and his representatives overplayed their hand. On Sunday, the New York Islanders signed the veteran blueliner to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, giving him a landing spot for the year and an opportunity to prove last season was not a fluke. 

In other former Sabres news, 2016 first rounder Alex Nylander was placed on waivers by the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old played all of last season for the Toronto Marlies and won a Calder Cup on an AHL contract. Nylander signed a PTO with the Flames and earned an NHL deal, but has to clear waivers to be sent to the AHL Wranglers. 

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Another former Sabre, defenseman Casey Fitzgersld, was placed on waivers by the Florida Panthers. Earlier in the week, as NHL clubs were cutting down to 23 players, other ex-Buffalo products Riley Stillman (Edmonton), Eric Comrie (San Jose), Zac Jones (Utah), and Viktor Neuchev (Carolina) all cleared waivers and were sent down to the AHL. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning dealt another former Sabre, goalie Jonas Johansson to the Ottawa Senators for future considerations. Johansson, 31, went 11-10-2, with a 3.29 GAA and .884 save % last season, but lost the backup battle with Dennis Hildeby. He now replaces youngster Leevi Merilainen, who was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks. 

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