Uniondale, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders swapped goaltenders ahead of Monday's trade deadline with Michal Neuvirth moving to Long Island in exchange for Chad Johnson.
The Metropolitan Division-leading Islanders also yielded a third-round draft pick in 2016 to land Neuvirth, who is expected to back up Jaroslav Halak.
Neuvirth, 26, has played well this season for the lowly Sabres, going 6-17-3 with a 2.99 goals against average and a .918 save percentage over 27 games.
A former second-round selection of Washington, the Czech netminder is 65-60-16 with a 2.73 GAA in 163 career outings with the Capitals and Sabres. Neuvirth is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2014-15 season.
Johnson was 8-8-1 with a 3.08 GAA and a .889 save percentage in 19 appearances for New York this season. He signed a two-year deal to join the Islanders last summer.
In addition to his time with the Islanders, the 28-year-old has played for Arizona, Boston and the New York Rangers. He has a career record of 28-14-7 and a lifetime 2.41 GAA in 56 contests.
In a separate move on Monday, the Islanders also dealt goaltender David Leggio to Arizona in exchange for defenseman Mark Louis.
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