The third-overall pick of the 2005 NHL Draft feels he has more in the tank. According to a team announcement, the Minnesota Wild have signed veteran defenseman Jack Johnson to a professional tryout agreement.
Johnson, 38, is coming off a one-year agreement with the team he’s spent the most years of his career with, the Columbus Blue Jackets. His performance did little to inspire confidence in his playing abilities, as he only managed six assists in 41 games while averaging 12:52 of ice time per game. Johnson was arguably the worst defenseman on the Blue Jackets last season, finishing with the second-lowest CorsiFor% at even strength (44.8%), and the lowest (by a considerable margin) on-ice save percentage at even strength (85.5%).
In Johnson’s defense, it’s notable that he is only two years removed from a relatively productive season with the Colorado Avalanche. He scored three goals and 16 points in 80 games, averaging nearly 15 minutes of ice time during the 2023-24 campaign. It could be because he was surrounded by better talent in Denver, but Johnson managed a far better 49.1% CF% and 92.7% oiSV%.
Still, it’s hard to imagine where Johnson fits into the Wild’s defense, even if he has a strong training camp and preseason. Minnesota boasts one of the better defensive units in the league, which is even more impressive considering Jonas Brodin isn’t expected to start the season on time. Assuming a healthy unit, the Wild’s seventh defenseman would theoretically become Zach Bogosian or David Jiříček.
Unlikely to accept a demotion to the American Hockey League at this stage of his career, Johnson may be using his PTO with the Wild as a means to find an opportunity with a different organization, as many players do with this style of agreement.
Feels he has Motrin the tank? More like he is trying to get out of debt after is parents bankrupted him. Terrible what they did to him where he has to hang on way to long to try and make ends meet and probably provide the life he wants for his family.
Sadly I think he’s ineffective in the NHL at this point. Sad what his parents did to him but at some point you gotta be your own man and say no more. I don’t know the specifics but I would want to manage my own money or at the very least have a financial professional giving me full disclosure do it.
He hasn’t been an NHL-caliber player for years now. Sorta wonder whether Europe’s a better option for a genuine salary.
You can’t trust anyone these days, just ask Ohtani!
Dude’s never retiring until no one picks up the phone…
How does he keep getting chances