The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed defensemen Ryan Johnson and Jack Rathbone, ahead of NHL free agency officially opening at 12 noon Tuesday. The team announced the signings Tuesday morning.
Johnson has signed a three-year contract with an AAV of $775,000.
Johnson, 23, was drafted by the Sabres 31st overall in 2019. After finishing his four-year collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, he officially joined the Sabres organization in the 2023-24 season.
He’s spent much of his time since then with the AHL’s Rochester Americans. This season, he had 13 points (2-11) in 66 games with the Amerks, in addition to 38 penalty minutes. To date, he’s appeared in 44 NHL games ,notching seven points and 16 penalty minutes.
Johnson was a pending restricted free agent.
Rathbone has signed a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775,000.
Rathbone, 26, was originally a draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2017, selected 95th overall. After years with the Canucks organization and a stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he joined the Amerks last season and put up 23 points, including 17 assists, in 63 games.
Rathbone was a pending unrestricted free agent.