The Nashville Predators have announced another depth signing at the defensive position.
Aaron Johnson, who split time between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers last season, has inked a one year, two-way deal that will pay him $555,000 with the Predators and $105,000 at the AHL level in Milwaukee.
Johnson, 27, will fight for an NHL job among fellow defensemen Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Francis Bouillon, Kevin Klein, Cody Franson (hopefully), Teemu Laakso, Alexander Sulzer, Jonathan Blum, Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis in training camp. Then there’s also the newly signed Brett Palin and prospects Mattias Ekholm and Charles-Olivier Roussel. Needless to say, with the depth Nashville has on the blueline, Johnson should play the entire season with the Admirals.
The Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia native has played on five different NHL teams in his five year history on the NHL level. Because he changes his address so often, he reminds many of former NHL journeyman Jerrod Skalde who just became the head coach of Nashville’s ECHL affiliate, Cincinnati Cyclones.
Johnson is a former third round pick of the division rival Columbus Blue Jackets.