Bruins sign veteran forward to professional tryout deal

Could the Bruins strike gold two years in a row with a player on PTO?

Last year, Danton Heinen returned to Boston, where he started his career, for a pro tryout and emerged as a valuable and versatile part of the roster before signing with the Vancouver Canucks this summer.

Earlier this summer, Johnson told Hockey News that he prioritized joining a team that could make the playoffs.

“I’d like to play some meaningful hockey and get back to the playoffs … That’s where it’s at. I’ve always loved there,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be a part of it, and when you don’t, especially the last few years here, doing what we’re doing, it’s been pretty tough.”

The Bruins will hope that Tyler Johnson can make a similar impact. Don Sweeney announced the signing of the 34-year-old forward, who can play at center or on the wing on Saturday.

Johnson, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound forward, had 17 goals and 14 assists in 67 games for the Blackhawks last year. The Spokane, Washington native won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020 and 2021) before joining Chicago for the past three seasons.

SportsNet Canada listed him as the top free agent available last week and wrote:

“The two-time Cup winner will have to accept a reduced salary at his next team, but he brings character, experience and the versatility to play on the wing or centre.

We can see him playing third-line center on a playoff team — which he would prefer to another rebuilding group.”

In his 12-year career — nine with the Lightning and three with the Blackhawks — he has 193 goals and 238 assists in 431 regular-season games. He has three goals and nine assists in 30 career games against the Bruins. He has 32 goals and 33 assists in 116 postseason games.

He received Selke Award votes three times early in his career and had five shorthanded goals as a rookie.

He will likely compete for time on the third and fourth lines and on the penalty kill.