UFA Tyler Johnson Still Hopeful on Contract From Bruins

For the second year in a row, the Boston Bruins are stringing along a PTO well into the season. It paid off well with Danton Heinen last year, now they're hoping for the same with veteran Tyler Johnson, who continues to wait patiently for a contract.

Insider Chris Johnson said on TSN Insider Trading that the intention to sign the 12-year veteran to a standard contract is still there, after his PTO was signed on Aug. 31st.

He's still remains in Boston. He's skating there, trying to stay in shape, remaining patient in hopes of getting a contract. It's a bit of an unusual circumstance for the veteran forward.

The Bruins like him, they really did like his camp, but they don't have cap space at this point in time. So it would have to be someone else put on waivers, a trade to create space or maybe an injury opens an opportunity. But Tyler Johnson is willing to wait it out, hoping to eventually get a deal with Boston.

Last year, Heinen didn't play his first game with the Bruins until October 30th after signing a PTO with them in September, but it all worked out, as he had a fine year, with 17 goals and 36 points along with a plus/minus rating of +16. He got himself a two-year, $2.25 million free agent contract with the Vancouver Canucks this summer.

For Johnson, he spent the first nine years of his career with the Tampa Bay Lightning (and won two Stanley Cups), and then played the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. He's recorded 193 goals and 431 points in 738 career games, while averaging 16:26 of ice time per night.

The Bruins only have about $400,000 of cap space at the moment, so Johnson will have to remain patient.