Bruins Waiting Game: Update Revealed On Veteran PTO Forward

Tyler Johnson showed well for the Boston Bruins during the preseason while on a player tryout agreement.

The veteran forward didn’t get a contract from Boston once training camp ended, though. But that doesn’t necessarily mean Johnson’s time with the Bruins is over.

Johnson, who skated with the Bruins for Thursday’s morning skate, currently is in wait and see mode as it looks like the two-time Stanley Cup champion is looking for an opportunity to become available with the Bruins.

“Johnson is being patient and sticking around for now,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters following the practice session, per team-provided video.

Johnson garnered attention during the preseason for his heady and sound play, which earned him praise from Montgomery. Johnson was on the ice for five of Boston’s first 12 goals during the exhibition slate and contributed a goal and an assist himself.

The Bruins are familiar with signing a player on a PTO weeks into the season. It happened last year when Danton Heinen turned his PTO opportunity with the Bruins into a contract deal. Heinen didn’t sign his one-year contract until Oct. 30.

That could be a similar path for the 34-year-old Johnson. There’s no room for the Johnson with the Bruins at the moment as they see what they have in offseason signees like Max Jones, Riley Tufte and Cole Koepke along with prospect Matthew Poitras, who is currently injured.

But if one or more of those forwards falters at the outset of the season or an injury occurs, the Bruins could turn to Johnson. At least they know he’s close by.