By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow Me on Twitter / X @KennyKaminskyy
Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney just announced that the team has signed forward Tyler Johnson to a Professional Tryout Agreement.
The 34-year-old played 67 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. He tallied 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points. Johnson has played over 700 games in his National Hockey League career with the Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021. Tyler Johnson has netted 193 goals and 238 assists for 431 points in his 12 seasons in the NHL. He has also appeared in 116 playoff games, potting 32 goals and 33 assists for 65 points.
The 5-foot-8, 185-pound winger was born in Spokane, Washington, and signed his first NHL contract in 2011 with the Lightning. Johnson has played critical roles on these teams and has been deemed one of the best Free Agents not rostered the upcoming season. His wealth of experience will be fun to watch as he tries to earn a spot on the Bruins roster. This would not be the first time a PTO player had the potential to be an everyday player, as Danton Heinen signed a PTO last season and was offered a full-time contract by the Bruins.
Although Tyler Johnson is typically a center, I could see him battling for that second-line winger position. He will add some competition for that spot. This is an excellent signing for the Bruins, as it adds another capable player to the mix and ensures whoever wins the battle is ready to step into the role this season.
Do you think they might add anyone else.
The Bruins have nothing to loose by signing Johnson, he could be a great 13th forward spelling guys when Montgomery feels a younger player needs to watch for a couple games. The Bruins have more than Merkulov and Lysell. They have Kuntar(L) 6’0″ 205 lbs, Duran(R) 6’2″ 195 lbs, Harrison(L) 6’2″ 189 lbs, Farinacci(R) 5’11” 197 lbs, McLaughlin(R) 6’0″ 199 lbs and Nelson(R) 6’4″ 215 lbs.
Sweeney has told all of these potential Bruins players to train hard and come to camp ready to show the coaches that they are ready for the NHL. Lysell has put on 6 lbs, he was 175 lbs and he is now 181 lbs. That weight was at the Prospect camp. Now if Lysell comes in to rookie camp with another 5 to 7 lbs at weigh in at 186 to 188 lbs that would mean 1. He took Sweeney at his word to train his ass off 2. He is tired of being knocked around and being injured because he wasn’t big or strong enough 3. He wants to make the NHL and is tired of the label of a really good AHL player that doesn’t have the ability to withstand the rigors of the NHL. I’m hoping Lysell has been working hard this off-season so the Bruins can reap the benefits of his skills that made him a first round pick.
If I had to pick another player to make the team which would be a surprise to a lot of Bruins fans, I’d pick Jaxon Nelson. He’s a really good 2 way player and he’s a big boy that was the captain of his team in college. He’s been working on his skating skills and he can score, has good leadership skills, plays a 200 foot game and has a high hockey IQ. He was a late bloomer as it is for a lot of big power forwards/centers.