Boston Bruins sign Stanley cup champion to a one-year deal following PTO

Finally, Tyler Johnson doesn't have to play the waiting game any longer. The veteran forward inked an NHL deal after signing with the Bruins on a professional tryout. The contract is for one year and carries a $775,000 cap hit.

With Tyler Johnson joining team practice in Boston on Monday, he's eligible to take the ice Tuesday when the Bruins travel to Toronto to play the Maple Leafs. The Bruins liked what Tyler Johnson showed in camp but avoided signing him to preserve cap space. Without being a clear starter from the outset, they might have waited even longer to sign him, but with their recent struggles, they're likely looking for a spark to their team. Last fall, the Bruins took a similar route when they signed Danton Heinen on October 30. He went on to become one of the many impact players for the squad.

Johnson had a good preseason in preparing himself with the Bruins and impressed teammates and coaches at the age of 34. He can be played up the middle or on either wing while also being able to bring experience to both the power play and penalty kill.

The right-shooting forward measures 5-foot-8 and weighs 185 pounds. Last season with the Blackhawks, he tallied 17 goals and 14 assists in 67 games. A native of Spokane, Washington, Johnson had a main role on the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. He spent the last three seasons in Chicago. Over his 12-year NHL career, nine full seasons in Tampa Bay and three with Chicago to date, Johnson has amassed 193 goals and 238 assists in 431 regular-season games. He has scored 32 goals and added 33 assists in 116 playoff games to date.

The 6'1" forward early in his career picked up Selke Trophy votes on three occasions and upon his initial season he led all rookies in shorthanded goals with five. Bruins fans sure hope he will be the key to helping the team getting back on track.