With the trade deadline approaching at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, the Flyers strengthened their blueline with veteran depth and Stanley Cup-winning experience by acquiring defenseman Erik Johnson from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick.

He also ended at the same time as general manager Danny Brière’s playing career in Colorado in the 2014–15 campaign, during the Avs’ rebuilding effort led by Joe Sakic, which Brière acknowledged had an impact on his ascent through the front office ranks.

This past summer, Johnson signed a free agent contract with Buffalo. He skated 50 games at an average of 13:48 per night, but his performance was lackluster with three goals, no assists, and a minus-5 rating in what is turning into another disappointing season for the Sabres.

Following the Sean Walker trade and Nick Seeler extension, Brière stated during his availability on Thursday that the Flyers would be watching for any deals that could aid the team currently vying for a postseason spot.

“We won’t part with assets merely for amusement either,” the general manager of the Flyers declared. “If there’s something that makes sense, we’ll act on it.”

Going for Johnson as a bit of insurance and wisdom seemed to have made enough of it, especially with Seeler sidelined for a while after blocking a shot against the Blues earlier in the week.