3 reasons why Tyler Johnson signing makes a lot of sense for Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins and veteran forward Tyler Johnson agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday, the team announced. The deal carries a $775K cap hit.

The deal comes following the Boston Bruins signing Johnson to a Professional Tryout Agreement in the offseason. Johnson attended the Bruins’ training camp but did not receive a formal contract offer. That situation left Johnson in limbo as he awaited a contract from Boston or any other club.

With a deal done for Johnson, let’s take a look at three reasons why Tyler Johnson's signing makes sense for the Bruins.

3 reasons why Tyler Johnson makes sense for Boston Bruins

#3. The Bruins need veteran depth in their bottom six

The Bruins have lacked veteran depth in their bottom six. While young forwards, Matthew Poitras, Morgan Geekie, John Beecher and Cole Koepke have played well enough, the Bruins have needed additional support for their top scorers.

Of course, Johnson does not project as a 50 or 60-point scorer. However, he provides stability and support for leaders such as Elias Lindholm and Charlie Coyle at center.

#2. Johnson adds versatility to the Bruins’ lineup

If there’s one thing Johnson adds is versatility. Johnson can play down the middle or on the wings. That situation helps as the Bruins look to try new line combinations that could spur more offensive punch.

Johnson’s addition helps the bottom six as he could play on the third and fourth lines in any situation. Moreover, he could potentially step into the middle six if injuries become an issue for the Bruins.

The flexibility allows the Bruins to better navigate potential injuries or manage matchups against other clubs. The Bruins could even move Johnson to the wing depending on circumstances, or use him in place of Mark Kastelic as the fourth-line center if need be.

#1. Johnson brings Stanley Cup experience

The Bruins lineup is seemingly turning over with a fresh infusion of young talent. However, with young talent comes a lack of experience, especially during the playoffs.

Johnson brings a wealth of experience after winning back-to-back Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. His experience bodes well for the younger and relatively inexperienced players on the Bruins' current roster.

Overall, Johnson’s signing is a low-risk, low-cost proposition. The Bruins get a solid veteran depth player at an affordable price. Moreover, Johnson’s deal is slated for one year, allowing the Bruins to walk away if things don’t work out with Johnson.