Erik Johnson

Heading into Friday, the Flyers are third in the Metropolitan Division while the Sabres are sixth in the Atlantic Division.

"It’s going to be the guys in this locker room putting on their big-boy pants and going to work," Tuch said.

Johnson had to watch the final 44 minutes of the Sabres’ hotly contested 3-2 loss from the bench.

The Sabres allowed the Bruins to score the game's first four goals and got dominated on special teams.

Here’s what we learned on Thursday at the first day of Buffalo Sabres training camp.

Given how much teams value big, right-shot defensemen with playoff experience, there should be a market for Johnson in free agency.

A team that couldn't get away from adversity all season, Colorado isn't necessarily looking at this season as a complete failure.

The Avalanche see the 33-year-old as a leader, a mentor, a good dressing-room presence — and a needed "stabilizer" on defense.

The move will allow the Avalanche to protect three other defensemen (or more) in the upcoming Kraken expansion draft.

"I think all the guys are really excited to see him around," Jared Bednar said. "He's a lot of fun and a committed teammate."