Signings may still take place despite the end of the free agency madness. There are still a lot of players available who might be signed to a contract. It might be a professional tryout (PTO) if it’s not an actual contract. Don Sweeney, general manager of the Boston Bruins, has taken just that path.
Tyler Johnson, a seasoned forward, has been added by Sweeney on a PTO. He brought in Danton Heinen last summer and eventually inked him to a deal. He was a key member of the Bruins during the 2023–24 season, thus that contract really paid off. Johnson, a veteran of the Tampa Bay Lightning, played with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023–24. This is a wonderful move by Sweeney, even though the Bruins roster is fixed in stone for the most part.
Johnson Is a Fantastic Newcomer
Johnson is a fantastic complement to this group. He is an extremely useful asset because he is a versatile player who can play both center and wing. Even though he may have passed his prime, he is still capable of playing good hockey.
Throughout his career, Johnson has scored 20 goals on four separate occasions. In addition, he has scored more than 40 points twice, more than 50 points twice, and, in the 2014–15 season, he recorded a career-high 72 points. Although it hasn’t been that high in a few seasons, he is coming off consecutive seasons in which he scored 30 points for the Blackhawks. That is a guy who can be useful and add depth to the center of the lineup. He finished the 2023–24 season with 31 points and 17 goals. That’s not too bad, and the Bruins might gain from it.
The rosters of the Bruins and the Blackhawks are superior. Johnson can profit from the same advantages that veterans like James van Riemsdyk experienced with the Bruins the previous season.
Where in the Lineup Johnson Can Fit
For most of the season, van Riemsdyk was a member of the third line. There is space for a player like Johnson going into the 2024–25 campaign, provided he shows the team a good reason to keep him around.
Right now, the Bruins are looking to replace the void at right wing in the second line. It is hoped that Fabian Lysell will be able to leave the Providence Bruins and claim the vacant position. Should that prove ineffective, Morgan Geekie can fill in. Playing alongside Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle helped him immensely, and he was a wonderful match for the second line. If worse comes to worse, Johnson can play next to those two and provide head coach Jim Montgomery with a strong second line.
Johnson has the potential to be a fantastic middle-six winger who adds the extra scoring that the team needs if he performs well in training camp.
Johnson Could Be The Bruins’ Big Breakthrough
The way the Bruins forward group is currently assembled, adding a player like Johnson is fantastic. He is a capable middle-six winger who can operate in a variety of settings. In addition, he is a person who can add 20 goals to your total and serve as a backup producer for the best players. In addition, he has a winning history as a Stanley Cup champion and is a seasoned presence and leader. Adding a successful player to the squad is a smart move for the Bruins, who are vying for the Stanley Cup. During the 2023–24 season, the Bruins achieved success with their senior signings, and Johnson might lead to another successful season.
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