*Photo from Sentinel Colorado*
Rebuilding teams need placeholders, roster fillers to shore up the depth of the team, and that's what this move is. The Chicago Blackhawks and D Jack Johnson have agreed to a one year, $950,000 deal, according to the team.
After playing with the Colorado Avalanche on a one year, $750,000 deal, Johnson became a UFA at the beginning of the offseason. After helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup, he's off to Chicago on a $200,000 pay raise this season. He'll be a UFA once again following the year.
Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said of signing Johnson in a statement that "Jack provides the team with a strong veteran presence, good size, and a competitive edge. We're excited to have Jack join the organization and, coming off a Stanley Cup championship last year, he will strengthen our defensive group."
Last season with the Avalanche, Johnson was a mainstay in the starting lineup. He ended the regular season with one goal and 8 assists, logging 16:45 of ice time while recording a +5 plus/minus rating in 74 games. He went without a point in 13 playoff games.
In his career, Johnson has played 16 seasons in the NHL. In that time, he has 72 goals and 240 assists, with a ghastly -114 plus/minus while averaging 21:51 of ice time per game in 1,024 regular season games. Johnson has an additional 5 goals and 16 assists with a -17 plus/minus rating in 43 career playoff games.
By signing in Chicago, the Blackhawks will mark the 6th team Johnson has played for. He started his career with the Los Angeles Kings after being a first round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. Then, he suited up for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and the Avalanche before winding up in Chicago.
The signing of Johnson is another under the radar move for the Blackhawks this winter. They've brought in Andreas Athanasiou, Max Domi, Colin Blackwell, Alex Stalock, and Petr Mrazek to replace Alex DeBrincat, Kevin Lankinen, Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubalik, and Dylan Strome.
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