Ex-Blackhawk Tyler Johnson Will get Shot With Boston Bruins

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September 1, 2024

Former Chicago Blackhawks ahead Tyler Johnson signed knowledgeable tryout settlement (PTO) with the Boston Bruins on Aug. 31 after drifting as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) for 2 months.

When the Blackhawks acquired Johnson in a commerce in 2021 from the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Blackhawks appeared extra excited concerning the transaction than the veteran was. Johnson went from back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in Tampa Bay to a workforce diving right into a rebuild.

He performed out the ultimate three seasons of a seven-year contract in Chicago. Signed with the Lightning in Summer season 2017, the deal arguably overpaid Johnson with a $5 million AAV for a complete of $35 million. The 5-foot-8, 34-year-old native of Spokane, Washington has solely as soon as produced greater than 50 factors in a season.

Johnson did not slack off or complain concerning the commerce. After lacking 56 video games and likewise struggling in his first season with Chicago (2021-22), he bounced again and gave the Blackhawks two stable seasons as a middle-six participant and chief.

Johnson appeared in 67 video games with the Blackhawks through the 2023-24 season, recording 17 targets and 14 assists for 31 factors. The ahead has skated in 738 profession NHL video games with Chicago and Tampa Bay, totaling 193 targets and 238 assists for 431 factors with a plus-20 ranking. Johnson has additionally performed 116 profession playoff video games, tallying 32 targets and 33 assists for 65 factors.

Johnson’s intentions had been all the time to get again to the playoffs prior to later. After Chicago completed thirty first within the league final season and Johnson turned a UFA, his sights had been set on a contender instantly. Johnson introduced his choice to not return to Chicago in April, then the Blackhawks signed eight UFAs on July 1 to enhance and make a leap in the direction of the playoffs in 2024-25.

Johnson apparently was banking on extra curiosity early on in free company, and nothing appeared to return out of it. He went unsigned till the Bruins picked him up on a PTO.

This is not a contract for this season, but it surely’s an opportunity on a workforce that has been superb for a very long time. After enormously exceeding expectations in every of the previous two seasons, Boston seems to be extra well-rounded and may simply qualify for the postseason.

As soon as within the playoffs, there isn’t any telling how far the Bruins may go. They’re a robust workforce that’s constructed for the playoffs and this newer group has gone via the challenges early on within the first and second rounds to now be capable to study and overcome them. Johnson, assuming he at the very least will get a contract with the Bruins, ought to be part of that and get what he needs once more.

Johnson would possibly nonetheless be a productive participant that may assist out at each ends of the ice. He has obtained Selke Trophy votes early on in his profession, scored 29 targets and recorded 63 factors in 123 video games over the previous two seasons, and proved prior to now he is usually a playoff performer. There’s definitely house within the Bruins’ bottom-6 for a 0.5 points-per-game participant to contribute.

At first look, each the Blackhawks and Johnson have gotten what they needed out of the offseason so long as Johnson earns a contract in coaching camp and will get to play playoff hockey this season with the Bruins.