Penguins Blog: Scouting Report on the New Guy; Another Prospect Blocked

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired left-handed defenseman Ryan Johnson from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Caleb Jones and Daniel Laatsch on Monday. Johnson, who carries an $875,000 cap hit through next season, provides defensive depth while Trevor van Riemsdyk recovers from a lower-body injury. Coach Dan Muse praised Johnson's skating, puck-moving abilities, and defensive awareness from his prior scouting experience.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now argues that the move creates a logjam on the left side of defense that could hinder prospect Owen Pickering. Kingerski questions general manager Kyle Dubas's roster strategy, suggesting the acquisitions of Johnson and Spencer Stastney place unnecessary obstacles in front of the 2022 first-round pick's path to the NHL.