It's officially over between this player and the Chicago Blackhawks

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Joshua Deeds
June 30, 2024 (4:20 PM)

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Tyler Johnson and the Chicago Blackhawks will go their separate ways as the UFA has stated, he wants to play for a contender in 2024-2025.

The 33 year old forward, has skated in seven of nine seasons of playoffs, while rostered by the Tampa Bay Lightning, before his arrival in Chicago.

Johnson in 2015, led the Lightning in the playoffs with points with 23( 10 G, 13 A) when Tampa Bay would be felled by the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals.

He would win the Stanley Cup in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 in with Tampa Bay.

Johnson would unfortunately be a Stanley Cup casualty as a result of the Lightning's 2nd Stanley Cup victory.

He would be traded to the Blackhawks with a 2023 2nd round pick, with the Blackhawks taking on the final 3 years of his $35 Million dollar contract.

"I'm obviously thankful for being here (Chicago)," he said. "I've met a lot of good people, but it wasn't exactly what I envisioned or wanted."

"I'd like to play some meaningful hockey and get back in the playoffs...That's where it's (playoffs) all at," Johnson added. "That's where I've always loved. I've always just wanted to be a part of that, and when you're not, especially the last few years here doing what we're doing, it's been pretty tough."

It appears he will get his wish to explore free agency and find a top-tier NHL team to find his footing, back in the playoffs.

There are 3 destinations to which Johnson could end up:

As the Buffalo Sabres are looking to make a playoff push into the Eastern Conference Finals, and Johnson's 116 Stanley Cup playoff games, make him an attractive addition to the team's top nine forward core.

For any team, Johnson's $3 M AAV could fit, and the Sabres $23 Million could make it work easy.

If the Detroit Red Wings make a decision to move on from David Perron, they could use Tyler Johnson to fill the gap missing from his absence instead. Johnson could be moved up and down the lineup, as a versatile forward and the connection between Yzerman and Johnson from Tampa Bay is noted.

The Seattle Kraken is another place Johnson could find a home, as they need reliable secondary scoring, is an affordable UFA and his versatile play would lend well to GM Ron Francis making an offer.

Source: NHL Trade Rumors
3 Potential Free-Agent Destinations for Tyler Johnson

Source: The Hockey News
Tyler Johnson Not Returning to Blackhawks in 2024-25