The Bruins made a significant move over the weekend by signing veteran forward Tyler Johnson to a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO).
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Johnson, 34, most recently played for the Chicago Blackhawks, where he achieved 17 goals, 14 assists, and 31 points in 67 games last season, finishing fifth in team scoring.
Standing at 5-foot-8 and weighing 185 pounds, Johnson is a versatile player capable of playing all three forward positions.
Throughout his career, he has participated in 738 NHL games with Chicago and Tampa Bay, amassing 193 goals, 238 assists, and 431 points with a plus-20 rating. He also boasts considerable playoff experience, having scored 32 goals and accumulated 65 points in 116 career Stanley Cup playoff games.
Originally signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent in 2011, Johnson was part of the renowned “Triplets Line” alongside Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov, helping the team secure back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.
On paper, this addition seems to be a savvy decision by Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney, acquiring a high-impact player at a reasonable cost.
It also offers Bruins coach Jim Montgomery a variety of intriguing options as he starts training camp.
Bruins Sign Tyler Johnson to PTO
Johnson will effectively replace Danton Heinen, who departed for Vancouver as a free agent this offseason. Unlike Heinen, Johnson presents a greater offensive threat. He has surpassed the 20-goal mark on four occasions, including a career-high of 29 goals in the 2018-19 season. Johnson is also capable of scoring 40 or more points in a full NHL season.
As a right-handed shooting left wing/center, Johnson can fit into various roles within the Bruins’ lineup.
Initially, he seems to be a perfect fit for the Bruins’ checking line, potentially skating alongside sophomore center Matthew Poitras and Trent Fredric.
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His veteran experience could provide a steadying influence for Poitras, much like he did with Conor Bedard in Chicago last season. Johnson could also offer support at center in case Poitras requires additional NHL development.
With his versatility, Johnson may also be able to move to his off-wing, potentially filling the gap left by Jake DeBrusk. However, the second-line right wing position already has several contenders, including rookie Fabian Lysell, veteran Morgan Geekie, and the towering Justin Brazeau.
Additionally, Johnson adds significant power play capability, contributing eight goals and 16 points with the man advantage last season. This would be a valuable boost for a team that could always benefit from extra offensive strength.
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