Flyers general manager Danny Brière acquired veteran defenseman Erik Johnson and winger Denis Gurianov.

Erik Johnson is probably best known for his toothless smile as he lifted Lord Stanley’s Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 but the defenseman will bring another veteran presence to the Flyers blue line. Philadelphia has acquired the 35-year-old from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2024 fourth-rounder, the team announced.

The No. 1 pick in 2006 by the St. Louis Blues, and the first American-born defenseman chosen first directly from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, Johnson has made a name for himself as one of the game’s best defensive defensemen. In 970 NHL games with the Blues, Avs and Sabres, the rugged Johnson has 340 points (91 goals, 249 assists) with a plus-minus of minus-2. This season he has three goals in 50 games with the Sabre