Having exhausted all attempts to trade him, the Penguins placed problematic defenseman Jack Johnson on waivers today for the purpose of buying out the remaining three years of his contract (worth $9.75 million) should he pass through unclaimed.
So ends the saga of one of the most maligned players in franchise history. Almost from the moment the former No. 3 overall pick inked a five-year deal with the Pens on July 1, 2018, he was excoriated by the media and especially local bloggers, who were almost uniformly critical of the signing.
Sadly, their low opinion of Johnson’s abilities would prove to be well-founded.
Truth be told, my heart goes out to Johnson. Whatever his shortcomings on the ice, a lack of effort or an unwillingness to get his nose dirty weren’t among them. During his two-season stay in the ‘Burgh, JJ dished out 416 hits and blocked 244 shots, far and away the most of any black-and-gold skater in both categories during that span.
The 227-pounder was a lone beacon of physicality on a decidedly unphysical defense.
Johnson was decent on the penalty-kill, where his mobility issues were masked to an extent. And he had stretches where he was at least reasonably effective while skating next to kids Marcus Pettersson and John Marino.
By all accounts, he was a terrific teammate and a great guy in the locker room.
Unfortunately, his positive attributes couldn’t conceal a struggle to keep pace in today’s puck-possession game, much like Rob Scuderi before him. Once upon a time a fairly accomplished offensive defenseman, that part of Johnson’s game had long since dried up by the time he arrived in the Steel City (four goals and 24 points over a two-season span).
His Corsi with the Pens was an uninspired 46.2 and his 5-vs-5 shot attempts count was ghastly, a minus-318 over the two seasons (including a mind-blowing minus-198 in 2018-19). His advanced metrics were uniformly off-the-charts crappy.
In other words…a lot more bad things happened when Johnson was on the ice than good, especially at even strength.
If the Pens proceed with the buyout…almost a sure bet given that JJ is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed…they’ll save $2 million this season on his cap hit of $3.25 million. Or enough to provide GM Jim Rutherford with the wiggle room to extend qualifying offers to RFA forwards Pontus Aberg, Anthony Angello, Sam Lafferty, Sam Miletic and goaltender Matt Murray.
Murray’s offer is a formality. He’s expected to be traded in the near future.
Speaking of the future, I don’t know what Johnson’s holds, but I wish him well. He handled an extremely toxic situation with grace, dignity and class.
Perhaps he’ll hook on with a rebuilding team like Detroit and serve as a mentor and veteran presence for some up-and-coming kids. Wherever he winds up, I hope he’ll meet with more success…and be treated better than he was here.
He’s certainly deserving.
Hey all,
I think Mark Madden has the best take yet on the Johnson situation. Read his article on the Tribune Review titled, “Mark Madden: Let’s play the Jack Johnson blame game.”
He makes a lot of really good points.
Rick
Hi Rick,
What is missing in the Jack Johnson discussion was the fact that he and Sidney were very close friends and Crosby pressured ownership to sign him. Keep Crosby happy !
At the time it seemed like a good idea except the contract was flawed.Way to long in length and a bit to much dollars. But the idea of keeping your Star Marquee player happy is as old as Hockey itself.
What does this mean moving forward? Not good!!
Mario was asked a few year ago about Buying out contracts and he said he was opposed to that idea. It means you have a player no one wants at this price.There is no market for Johnson and like all business, the market dictates the value.
Secondly this move and other recent bad business decisions will hamper the future Penguins Teams severely and it will slow the rebuild. That will tie the hands of future GM’s to be able to acquire new free agents and force the fans on Pittsburgh in to accepting a non cup contender for a long time.
But as the old business adage goes,If you keep trying to do the same thing over and over and expect different results, Houston you have a Problem.
Last question Rick,
What happens when the ownership group says ” WE CAN NOT SPEND TO THE CAP ANYMORE ! ” It does not make economic sense if we can not make the playoffs. They then tell the GM cut the wages by 10% as many NHL teams have to do. Cut 8 million $ ! That day is coming for our Penguins in the near future Rick.
Cheers
Hello Jim!
Very astute comments, my north-of-the-border friend. Especially the part about today’s bad business decisions slowing the rebuild in the future.
When the wheels fall off the Penguins’ wagon…and they’re gonna fall off in the not-too-distant future, I shudder to think how bad we’re going to be. And there may not be (probably won’t be) a Sid or Geno awaiting us thanks to the draft lottery.
The Pens could be bad for a very long time. Although Pittsburgh is a hockey town, will they support a loser for a prolonged stretch?
Back to the present. I’m trying to decide if we’re a better team now than we were at the end of the season. I like Kapanen a lot, although I don’t know what his upside is as a goal scorer (20 maybe?). Although he’ll never justify his ridiculous contract, I think Matheson has a chance to be something. The talent is there. It just needs to be harnessed.
I’m going to miss the hell out of Hornqvist. We’re really going to miss his fire and spirit, not to mention the maniacal way he played in front of the net. Lest we forget, he was a master on deflections, too. But we do have kids in Poulin and Angello who on paper, could sort of fill Horny’s role, if not his skates and presence in the locker room.
I do agree with Other Rick. I’m not sure how I feel going into the season with a tandem of Jarry and DeSmith in goal. I love Jarry, but if he gets injured for any length of time…uh boy.
I guess we’ll have a better idea after we see what kind of return JR gets for Murray…or if he makes any other moves.
For now, we’re younger and faster. I don’t know if we’re better…
Rick
Hey Jim and Rick,
I am not shedding any tears over the JJ buyout nor am I celebrating – as Gretz of Pensburgh points out, none of this was JJs fault. Furthermore, JJ was/is nothing more than a symptom, the disease remains. JR is the disease.
Jim, if left unchecked the hole you speak of will just get deeper and deeper. And remember that if ownership does start enforcing the edict that they gave when firing all of the assistant coaches (and not even making JR do it but going out and firing on their own) of only allowing the team to spend in the mid $70 million or in your case lower $70 million, with the JJ buyout, about $1 million of that Cap will be dead money going toward JJs buyout.
Hey Coach,
I like your Ottawa idea you posted previously…Murray & Letang for a 5th over all pick… and a second round pick. You might need to send some bucks as well as Ottawa is in desperate need of Cash. They need a new rink and a different owner.
To add to your suggestion Coach I would also quietly put out requests for Geno and see what the market would pay,,It might surprise you. If you do not ask you will never know.
The Pen’s are in panic mode now and if they fail to make the playoffs next year this team will be in real trouble. So lets see if JR and Mario have the ” wisdom” to do what needs to be done to help save this franchise long term. I might add many other NHL Franchises are in the same situation as the Pens. They all lost a lot of money this year and that can not continue.No fans in the seats !!
Cheers
Hey Jim,
I don’t know what the rules are right ow when it comes to cash but I certainly would rather send cash now than assets, particularly when assets are hard to come by in the Pens Org these days. The precious few kids worth keeping is getting to be almost non-existent.
I would think Geno would still command a large return if the right GM were at the Helm. Malkin was still tops in the league in 5 on 5 pnts/60 minutes last year. And although I think everyone is tradable at the right price, I fear a Malkin trade would get the Pens would get less than they got for Jagr so long as JR is the horse trader throwing away Pgh talent.
That is what my biggest fear is with the impending Murray deal; JR is going to get fleeced.
And I know no one wants to hear it but the Rutherford – Sullivan train is no lock for a playoff. They will be fighting to keep their head above water even if the injury bug doesn’t sting. Heaven help them if Malkin, Crosby or Jarry gets hurt for any extended period.
Honestly, 1st, JR doesn’t have the Wisdom and 2nd since Mario and Buerkle didn’t fire JR and Sully who in the end are in charge of process – a failing process at that – but fired their underlings instead, underlings who can only follow their bosses lead, I don’t hold any confidence that they don’t have the Wisdom either.
The scariest part is as you note, if the season is shortened or no fans, or limited fans will be permitted at the games, nothing short of winning the Cup will have a chance of saving the season.
Yes Coach JR traded Murray to Ottawa for 4th round player,( weighs 180 pounds) .. we have lots of those types of players. It is the first rounders we are missing… and a 52 nd pick over all in the draft.
Can you believe this. Just ridiculous.
Stratton
Obviously you do not realize I have been a member Of PP and a contributor with Rick and Otr for a long time. Health issues kept me away.. I live in Atlantic Canada and my nephew is a long time personal friend of Sidney’s. They played Hockey against each when they were young.Still close friends. Ask Rick Buker. He will vouch for me.
The comment about Jack Johnson is 100% accurate.
Cheers
Hey Stratton,
I appreciate the fact that you have your opinions and aren’t afraid to express them. Part of the fun of a blog is commenting and reading what other folks think and have to say. There’s always room for differing opinions.
Having said that, I’m going to ask you to tone down the sharpness of your comments and responses. There’s a way to disagree and express yourself without making it seem like a personal attack, and you certainly seem intelligent enough to do that.
We try to foster an environment where everyone’s opinions are valued and no one feels belittled or put down for what they have to say.
Thanks.
Rick
Stratton,
If the NHL runs a full 82 game schedule and can fill the stands with fans once again, so that an $81 million Cap is doable, then $1 million may look like chump change, particularly viewed from a linear lens, but with the real possibility of a less than 82 game schedule with none to limited attendance, $1 million in dead space now is a real problem.
It wasn’t that long ago, I believe the 2014 – 2015 season when the Penguins were up against the Cap and had to play 2 games on the West Coast, 1 with only 16 skaters and 1 with 17 skaters because they didn’t have the room to call up a player.
There is an old saying, “if everyone jumped off a bridge, would you jump too.” your everyone else is doing it argument fails to persuade. If every other team wants to commit suicide – let them.
Hey Rick,
Read “Kingerski: Johnson Buyout, Penguins Offseason Feels Chaotic”
That may be the first time I read anything harsh he wrote towards GMJR. (Much softer than I would have written)
Yet more rubbish. The plan is obvious.
Part 1: They ship out the older slower players, Hornqvist, Johnson, Marleau, Bjugstad
Part 2: add younger faster players Kapanen, Matheson
I’m not sure I agree with the moves, but it is certainly at least an obvious plan and it is EXACTLY what Rutherford said he would do right after they lost to Montreal. Only a fool like Kingerski and the similarly dimwitted could fail to see th obvious.