Dec 29: Johnsson has cleared waivers and was immediately assigned to Utica.
Dec 28: According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the New Jersey Devils have placed Andreas Johnsson on waivers once again, after he previously cleared at the beginning of the season. He joins Max Willman today, who the Philadelphia Flyers already announced would be on waivers.
Johnsson, 28, has played just two games this season in the NHL, after scoring 13 goals and 35 points in 2021-22. As the Devils improved their forward group, he was pushed further down the depth chart and now finds himself on the outside looking in when it comes to NHL minutes.
Given the team also was forced to move Ondrej Palat to long-term injured reserve just to fit in today’s recalls, burying Johnsson in the minor leagues can also be beneficial to their cap situation. His $3.4MM cap hit can’t be entirely buried, but $1.125MM will come off the books while he plays for the Utica Comets.
That is of course assuming he clears waivers, though it seems very likely given that contract situation.
Why don’t the Oilers pick him up until Kane returns ? And then cross the payroll bridge when we have to ,( Kane”s return)
@Shawn Pritchard—Ken H. would likely have difficulties crossing said bridge. And, I don’t think Johnsson brings any real flavor to the party. Their current cap space is $1.6MM, and they would be taking on the full hit, so no room at the Inn, as it were. Plus, he somehow has a 10-team M-NTC, so that might get in the way, too.
If NJ retains 1/2 salary they could trade him now that he has cleared waivers and the new team could hold him in the minors till an injury comes up. But you would still have a buried penalty of around $.5M