The Buffalo Sabres are trying to get their franchise back on track after they fell off quickly these past two seasons, making changes in the staff and making the necessary additions. They added some Stanley Cup experience on Saturday, giving center Marcus Johansson a two-year contract that is worth $9 million. The 28-year-old will be hoping to find consistency in his health, as he has battled multiple injuries over the past few seasons.
Johansson was dealt from the New Jersey Devils to the Boston Bruins at February's Trade Deadline, but only played in 10 regular season games before suffering a lung contusion. He did bounce back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing with four goals and seven assists in 22 games. Before that, Johansson had just two assists in the 10 games before his injury. His best season came with the Washington Capitals in 2016-2017, finishing with 24 goals and 34 assists while playing in all 82 regular season games.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins are content that the reason behind their early Stanley Cup Playoff exits are not head coach Mike Sullivan. They proved that on Saturday, giving their head man a four-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2023-2024 season. The Penguins have won two Stanley Cups under Sullivan in 2016 and 2017, giving them even more reason to lock him in before his current contract expires at the end of this upcoming season.
The 51-year-old took over for Mike Johnston in December of 2015 and has since gone 174-92-34, including becoming the first team in two decades to win consecutive Stanley Cups. Although, they are coming off a first-round elimination against the New York Islanders, which has forced the team to get younger around Sidney Crosby. They have already begun with that, adding Brandon Tanev in free agency, and trading away Phil Kessel.
Johansson was dealt from the New Jersey Devils to the Boston Bruins at February's Trade Deadline, but only played in 10 regular season games before suffering a lung contusion. He did bounce back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing with four goals and seven assists in 22 games. Before that, Johansson had just two assists in the 10 games before his injury. His best season came with the Washington Capitals in 2016-2017, finishing with 24 goals and 34 assists while playing in all 82 regular season games.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins are content that the reason behind their early Stanley Cup Playoff exits are not head coach Mike Sullivan. They proved that on Saturday, giving their head man a four-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2023-2024 season. The Penguins have won two Stanley Cups under Sullivan in 2016 and 2017, giving them even more reason to lock him in before his current contract expires at the end of this upcoming season.
The 51-year-old took over for Mike Johnston in December of 2015 and has since gone 174-92-34, including becoming the first team in two decades to win consecutive Stanley Cups. Although, they are coming off a first-round elimination against the New York Islanders, which has forced the team to get younger around Sidney Crosby. They have already begun with that, adding Brandon Tanev in free agency, and trading away Phil Kessel.
