PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Another week, another Pens trade for a defenseman, acquiring Ryan Johnson from the Buffalo Sabres.
Pens sent 29-year-old defenseman Caleb Jones and 24-year-old defenseman Daniel Laatsch as compensation.
The 6’1”, 194-pound Johnson is a left-shot defender who is known as a puck-moving and puck-handling defenseman. He started the season in the AHL playing four games in Rochester without a point. Last year in the AHL, 56 games, 19 points (five goals) and 40 penalty minutes. In 2023-24, Johnson played 41 games for the Sabres with seven assists.
The California native was an alternate captain at the University of Minnesota and a Sabres first-round pick (31st overall) in 2019. He won gold for Team USA at the 2021 World Junior Championships. Johnson is signed through next season at $775,000 per year.
A former defenseman at the University of Wisconsin, the 6’5” Laatsch spent most of last year playing for the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL with 11 points (three goals) in 29 games.
Jones was drafted 11 years ago by Edmonton in the fourth round and played seven games with the Pens last season with an assist. This year he had three assists in four games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL.
Pens play at Chicago Tuesday night.
What to know about left-handed shot Ryan Johnson
What to know about left-handed shot Ryan Johnson
