Chicago continued loading up by acquiring back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Tyler Johnson from the Tampa Bay Lightning. They also got a 2023 second-round pick and traded Blackhawks legend Brent Seabrook, who will go on LTIR for the Lightning.
While Johnson saw his ice time decrease in Tampa over the past few seasons, Head Coach Jon Cooper had these words to say about him:
“As teams change and they evolve, and the salary cap (comes into play) … guys are coming up. But there was one thing we never lost faith in: Tyler Johnson. He never lost faith in himself. And roles change, you have to adapt, and nobody’s done it better than Tyler. I couldn’t be more happy for somebody and he’s being rewarded for everything he’s gone through.“
Johnson also put up very respectable advanced stats in his limited role last season.
- Corsi for: 52.39%
- Fenwick for: 52.61%
- Expected Goals: 52.37%
- High Danger Chances for: 49.75%
When Chicago acquired Johnson, GM Stan Bowman said that “Jonathan Toews, Kirby Dach and Tyler Johnson provide a real solid foundation of centremen for the Blackhawks.”
With Pius Suter and David Kampf leaving via free agency, it makes a lot of sense.
Johnson, for his career, owns a 49.8 face-off percentage, including a 54.84 face-off percentage last season, which Chicago desperately needs help with.
Johnson has already been given a bigger role with the Blackhawks in training camp. He’s been playing with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, as well as earning first line power play time.
Though he isn’t quite where he used to be, Tyler Johnson is still an effective hockey player and can have a bounce back season utilizing the opportunity he’s been given along with the offensive studs Chicago possesses.