On Saturday, General Manager Don Sweeney revealed that the Boston Bruins have signed free agent forward Tyler Johnson to a Professional Try Out agreement (PTO). Johnson recently completed a seven-year contract worth $35 million he signed in 2017 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Last season, Johnson played for the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring 17 goals and providing 14 assists in 67 matches. He has been with the Blackhawks for the past three seasons. He joined the team from the Lightning in a trade that also included a draft pick in exchange for Brent Seabrook.
The signing of a two-time Stanley Cup champion has attracted attention. Many believe that bringing in Johnson may reduce the chances for Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, and even Matthew Poitras to secure a spot on the team during training camp.
The camp last year demonstrated that players like Danton Heinen, who genuinely deserved an NHL contract, can secure a position and receive one. In contrast, we saw Alex Chiasson released after only two disappointing exhibition games.
Under Sweeney’s leadership, the Bruins have strongly encouraged competition among their players. For Lysell, Merkulov, and Poitras, this should not be seen as a lack of trust in them. Instead, it is a chance for them to hit the ice and demonstrate their determination to secure a place on the team. Poitras set a great example last season, and now he needs to prove himself once more.
What we observed from Poitras last year has not yet been seen from Merkulov and Lysell in training camps to this point. Now it’s their chance to seize this moment and demonstrate their desire to succeed just as much as their peers. Eventually, it falls on the players to compel management to make difficult decisions. For Merkulov, who turns 24 in October and is the oldest of the group, opportunities like this will become rare.
Dom - Hockey 