The Boston Bruins recently signed Tyler Johnson, a 34-year-old center, to a professional tryout agreement. Johnson, once a standout player for the Spokane Chiefs, has had a notable career in the NHL, particularly with the Tampa Bay Lightning. During his time with the Lightning, Johnson was instrumental in helping the team rise to prominence, ultimately winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
Standing at 5-foot-8 and weighing 185 pounds, Johnson is not the typical size the Bruins have been favoring for their roster lately. However, his smaller stature didn’t stop him from achieving significant success in the NHL. Johnson’s roots in Spokane, where he led the Chiefs to a Memorial Cup victory in 2008, are well remembered. His No. 9 jersey was retired by the Spokane Chiefs in 2022, a testament to his impact on the team and the community.
Johnson’s career with the Lightning was marked by several standout seasons. He scored more than 40 points in four different seasons, with his best performance coming in the 2014-2015 season when he posted 29 goals and 43 assists for a total of 72 points. In the 2018-2019 season, he also scored 29 goals as the Lightning dominated the regular season, only to face an early exit in the playoffs.
Most recently, Johnson has been with the Chicago Blackhawks, a team in the midst of a rebuilding phase. Last season, he recorded 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points. Despite his contributions, the tryout agreement with the Bruins doesn’t guarantee him a spot on the roster, meaning Johnson will need to prove himself once again if he hopes to secure a place on the team.
In other hockey news, the Edmonton Oilers recently extended Leon Draisaitl’s contract, securing him for eight more years with an average annual value (AAV) of $14 million starting in the 2025-2026 season. This deal makes Draisaitl one of the highest-paid players in the NHL, surpassing Auston Matthews’ recent contract. Draisaitl, who has been a key player for the Oilers, is now expected to remain with the team for the foreseeable future, potentially ending his career as an Oiler.
Seth Jarvis of the Carolina Hurricanes also signed a new contract, an eight-year deal worth $63.2 million. Interestingly, a significant portion of Jarvis’s contract will be paid out as deferred signing bonuses, a relatively new practice in the NHL that helps teams manage salary cap implications. This strategy allows the team to lower Jarvis’s AAV from $7.9 million to $7.4 million, providing some financial flexibility while still rewarding the player handsomely.
The hockey world is also keeping an eye on prospects, with analysts ranking young players under 23. Conor Geekie, a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was highlighted as a promising prospect, though there are some concerns about his skating ability. Geekie is expected to develop into a reliable third-line center with the potential to become a second-line center as he continues to improve his game.
Switching to women’s hockey, the Minnesota PWHL recently appointed Melissa Caruso as their new general manager. Caruso, who has extensive experience in the AHL, steps into the role following the departure of the team’s previous GM, Natalie Darwitz, who left due to internal conflicts within the organization.
Back in the NHL, Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins has had a challenging offseason, undergoing multiple surgeries to address various injuries, including a torn tendon in his elbow and a sports hernia. Despite these setbacks, Marchand is expected to return to the ice once he has fully recovered.
Lastly, the Columbus Blue Jackets are holding a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who tragically passed away last week. The vigil has garnered significant support from the Columbus and Calgary communities, with both organizations planning ceremonies to remember the brothers.
These stories highlight the ongoing developments in the hockey world, from veteran players like Tyler Johnson seeking new opportunities to young prospects like Conor Geekie making their mark. The NHL continues to evolve, with teams making strategic decisions to secure their future, both in terms of player contracts and management roles. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how these moves impact the league.
