There was a day when Tyler Johnson might have been nauseated to even think of pulling on the black-and-gold jersey of the Boston Bruins. He was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning for nine years when the rivalry between the two teams was white hot.
But after three years in the throes of a major rebuild in Chicago, and the opportunity to win a job with a Bruin team that has high expectations, those edges have been softened.
“I think it’s been enough years,” said the 34-year-old Johnson, who is in camp on a tryout deal. “Obviously, I played a lot meaningful hockey against this team and a couple of playoff series and a lot of regular season games. So I used to hate Boston, but it’s going to be fun playing in front of the home crowd instead.”
Johnson is far removed from his best season in the NHL. That was in 2014-15 when he had 72 points (29-43) in 77 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning. But after injury shortened his first season in Chicago, he posted back-to-back 30-plus point seasons with the Blackhawks, which included 17 goals last season.
While the 5-foot-8, 185-pound Johnson does not fit the current Bruin trend of going big, he does bring a resume that includes two Stanley Cups in Tampa and a quality that the B’s have longed valued – versatility. He can play all three forward positions and, with question marks at third line center and second line right wing, Johnson would be a good insurance policy with young players Matt Poitras and Fabian Lysell vying for those spots.
But even if it is deemed he could help the team, it will be tricky to sign him to a deal. Goalie Jeremy Swayman is still unsigned and his next deal, whenever it gets hammered out, is expected to soak up most of the approximately $8.6 million in cap space. The uncertainty surrounding that issue can’t help.
From a straight hockey perspective, however, Johnson remains an intriguing possibility. He showed that he still has good wheels when, on Friday, he turned on the jets to surprise and beat Brandon Carlo on a two-on-two drill. And coach Jim Montgomery has liked what he’s seen form the veteran in the early going of camp.
“He made a lot little subtle support plays, which has been a strength of him his whole career,” said Montgomery. “And he looked like he knew our D-zone coverage, which I don’t think he ever played in Tampa or Chicago, (where it was) more of a man-on-man situation. (It speaks to) his hockey sense and being able to assimilate quickly. That’s why he’s played so long and why in the course of the last couple of years, guys like (James van Riemsdyk and (Nick) Foligno are becoming valuable.”
While acknowledging that he needs to adjust to the B’s system, Johnson doesn’t believe that it’s too drastically different from what he’s experienced.
“When I was in Tampa, we kind of had a mixed bag, a little bit of man-on-man, a little bit of zone,” said Johnson. “Obviously this is a little more zone than that. But it’s not too different, I guess. Obviously we’re still learning things. There’s always going to be a few subtle tweaks and things where I might be used to doing some things differently. But hopefully with practice and repetitions I can get that out of my system and get to theirs.”
Johnson has been impressed by the whole Bruins’ operation.
“It’s just the culture. You talk to guys around the league about different teams and you continually hear about the guys in Boston, the culture, the way that they play, the way that they come to the rink and be involved with everybody,” said Johnson. “A lot of times it’s just talk but so far, as I got here, they’ve been very welcoming. All the guys are super nice. It’s all black and white, the things that we’re doing structurally. Even the first day of practice was just top notch. It’s been pretty great so far.”
As for having to sing for his supper with tryout his status, Johnson said it doesn’t really change his approach to this camp. Having to prove himself is nothing new. The undersized Johnson came into the league as an undrafted free agent and, in a way, his career has now come full circle.
“I think at every point in my career and every point in my life, you always have to keep competing,” said Johnson. “The moment that you stop, other people take your job. For me, it’s just doing the best I can and letting things happen.”…
Elias Lindholm was not available for Friday’s practice. Coach Jim Montgomery said he was held out for maintenance purposes. The Swede had centered David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha on the first day of camp.
“Maybe he wasn’t used to the Czech pace. That’s why he needed the day off today,” cracked Pastrnak. “But it was fun. We had some good looks. I don’t think there’d be any problem finding chemistry with Lindy. He’s smart and has a high hockey IQ. It was only one practice, but I don’t think there’d be a problem finding chemistry.”…
Just hours after Brandon Bussi signed his one-year extension with the Bruins, seemingly making him Jeremy Swayman’s backup, tte B’s pulled off a Linus Ullmark trade which brought back among the pieces an established (if struggling) NHL goalie Joonas Korpisalo. From the outside looking in, that would seem like a major shift in prospects for Bussi, looking to become an NHLer after two years of good work in Providence.
If it bothered Bussi, he kept it to himself.
“I did not know (the trade) was in the works, nor do I think should I have known. I don’t think it would have changed anything, me knowing that and me signing the contract. My opinion wouldn’t have changed,” said Bussi.
“First off, (my thoughts) went to Linus. He was an awesome teammate to me. He helped me a lot in my two years. He was super influential. He taught me a lot about being a pro, being able to see what he did, being able to learn some things from his game. I think it was more on the emotional side because he was such a good guy. But obviously, it’s part of the business.”
Now, depending on how soon the Swayman contract gets done, Bussi is in competition with Korpisalo for either the backup spot or the opening night starter’s role.
“Nothing really changed for me,” said the 26-year-old Bussi. “I just want to put my best foot forward and show the guys, management and teammates, that I’m ready for the opportunity.”…
The B’s will hold an intrasquad Black-and-Gold scrimmage on Saturday at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence (1 p.m.) Montgomery said that it will be three 15-minute periods. The second period will feature special teams work.