Bruins sign two-time Cup winner Tyler Johnson to tryout agreement
The Bruins have an opening at second line right wing and it would be helpful if one of their young players would seize that opportunity.
But, regardless of that hope, the B’s invested in a veteran insurance policy on Saturday.
The B’s signed 34-year-old right-shot forward Tyler Johnson to a professional tryout agreement (PTO).
While he has spent the last three years with a rebuilding Chicago Blackhawk team, Johnson was very much a part of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s surge to become one of the NHL’s elite teams in the last decade, culminating with Stanley Cups in the 2020 and 2021.
At 5-foot-8, 185 pounds, Johnson would be a departure from the B’s recent inclination toward size on the roster, though his undersized frame didn’t stop Johnson from raising the Cup twice.
Johnson topped 40 points four times with the Lightning. His best year came in 2014-15 when he had 29-43-72 totals. He also scored 29 goals in 2018-19 when the 62-16–0-4 Bolts sprinted to the Presidents’ Trophy only to be bounced in the first round.
In Chicago last season, Johnson had 17-14-31 totals.
The tryout agreement does not guarantee Johnson a spot on the roster, of course. But the B’s have signed PTO players to deals the last two seasons. Two years ago, they signed defenseman Anton Stralman but he played just eight games for the B’s before heading back to play in his native Sweden last year.
But last season, the B’s hit something of a PTO jackpot, signing Danton Heinen for his second stint with the club. Heinen chipped in with 17-19-36 totals and he parlayed that into a two-year, $5 million contract with his hometown Canucks.
The signing of Johnson could be construed as a challenge to Fabian Lysell, the B’s first-round pick in 2021 (21st overall) who will be vying for the job when camp opens. Justin Brazeau would like a shot at playing up in the lineup as well, as would a number of other young players.