The Buffalo Sabres have added to their goaltending depth, signing prospect Jonas Johansson to a three-year entry-level contract. No financial details were released. The Sabres had one year remaining of exclusive negotiating rights with the Swedish netminder, but will get him into their system right away.
Johansson signed an ATO and played seven games for the Rochester Americans this spring, and has apparently done enough to warrant an entry-level deal. In those seven contests, he registered a 3-3-1 record and an .892 save percentage. The big, 6’4″ goaltender was selected in the third round (61st-overall) of the 2014 entry draft, and has been developing in the Swedish Allsvenskan over the past few seasons. Still raw but supremely talented, he’s one of the goaltenders the Sabres hope can develop into a real NHL talent in the future.
Johansson’s role in the organization is likely in Rochester, though with Cal Petersen still a possibility this summer there may not be enough starts for both on the AHL squad. Petersen is undecided about whether he will turn pro or return to Notre Dame for his senior year. While Linus Ullmark is likely heading for the NHL to be Robin Lehner’s backup—unless of course the team re-signs Anders Nilsson—Petersen would likely garner the lion’s share of the starts for the Amerks next year. If he does turn pro, Johansson may see some time in the ECHL just to get work in next year and continue his development.