Penguins Update: Gotta Feel Good for Jack Johnson

Monday, October 5, 2020, wasn’t exactly a red-letter day for defenseman Jack Johnson. On that fateful day the Penguins placed the Indianapolis native on waivers for the purpose of buying out his contract, which had three seasons to go.

Just another in a seemingly endless line of hard knocks the veteran defender had to endure. Nearly six years earlier to the day he’d been forced to declare bankruptcy despite making $5 million a year because his parents, trusted to handle his finances, made a slew of poor investments and basically took advantage of their son.

Can you imagine?

It goes without saying that life hasn’t always been kind to Johnson.

That’s only part of the reason why I was so happy to see him hoist the Stanley Cup Sunday night. His is a feel-good story in the truest Horatio Alger tradition. Riches to rags to riches again. Hockey’s version of The Cinderella Man, James J. Braddock, the down-and-out boxer who rose from the relief rolls during the teeth of the Great Depression to become heavyweight champion of the world.

Once upon a time, way before he became a hockey vagabond, Johnson was among the most sought-after players to emerge from the college ranks. A close friend and teammate of Sidney Crosby’s at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Johnson went on to enjoy two excellent seasons for the U.S. National Team Development program and a monster freshman campaign at the University of Michigan.

He was the total package, a burly 6’1” 227-pounder could hit, score and skate. Attributes that led to him being selected third overall in 2005 by then-Carolina and future Pens GM Jim Rutherford.

Ironically, Johnson never took the ice for the Hurricanes. On the eve of his sophomore season at Michigan, his rights were dealt to Los Angeles as part of a multi-player swap. Making his NHL debut with the Kings that spring, he skated in five games and was a minus-five. A harbinger of things to come.

Johnson spent most of the next five seasons in LA, logging workhorse minutes to mixed reviews. While his offensive game gradually evolved (a career-high 42 points in 2010-11) he also ran up huge minuses on an emerging young team. At least partly a case of his top-pairing role outstripping his abilities.

On February 23, 2012, Johnson was traded again, this time to Columbus along with a first-round pick for current Pen Jeff Carter. Eager to make an impression, Jack was dominant out of the chute, tallying 14 points in 21 games for the Blue Jackets while averaging an astounding 27:25 of ice time.

His high-water mark came during the opening round of 2014 playoffs. Pitted against the Pens and old pal, Crosby, he piled up a team-high three goals and seven points over a six-game set.

As Johnson approached his 30s, his mobility and offensive production began to wane. Settling into more of a defensive role under new coach John Tortorella, JJ enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2016-17, registering a plus-23, tied for second-best on a very good team. Only the second time in his career he was on the north side of even in plus/minus. 

On July 1, 2018, Johnson signed a five-year deal with the Pens for $16.25 million, reuniting him with Crosby. What should’ve been a joyous time quickly turned sour, as the move was greeted by skepticism if not howls of derision from the local press and analytics sect.

The vilification was biting, merciless and, at times, downright cruel. You had to feel for Johnson. No, he wasn’t the best defenseman ever to skate for the black and gold. Not by a long shot. But he proved to be a hard-working, durable performer who wasn’t afraid to get his fingernails dirty. Assuming a “heavy” role on a lightweight team, Johnson topped the Pens in blocked shots (147) and hits (233) in 2018-19…both career highs. A feat he nearly duplicated the following season.

However, when an injury sidelined Brian Dumoulin for an extended period in ‘19-20, coach Mike Sullivan pressed Johnson into service beside Kris Letang on the top tandem. The pairing was heavily underwater by most statistical measures. Nor did Johnson shine when teamed with Justin Schultz, although Rutherford absolved him of blame, instead singling out his partner as “having a lot more to give.”

For the record, metrics have never loved Johnson. One site described him as a “black hole” in front of his net. Ouch. Yet there are intangibles such as heart, leadership, character and dogged perseverance that can’t be quantified by the numbers. Qualities Johnson possesses in spades.

After being bought out by the Pens, Johnson hooked on with the Rangers, signing a one-year deal for $1.15 million. He played in only 13 games for the Blueshirts and scored one goal…appropriately against the Pens.

Cut loose following his one season on Broadway, Johnson’s NHL career appeared to be all-but-over. But on September 1, 2021, he signed a PTO with the Avalanche. At first blush it appeared to be anything but a match made in heaven…a speed team and a plodding, aging defenseman. But Johnson not only stuck with the Avs, he skated in 74 regular-season games and logged a plus-five while averaging 16:45 of ice time a game.

When Sam Girard went down with a fractured sternum during Colorado’s second-round series, Avs coach Jared Bednar didn’t hesitate to press Johnson into service. Receiving sheltered minutes on the third pairing, the 35-year-old defender more than held his own, finishing on the plus side of most metrics while dishing out 39 hits in 11 games. Culminating in a Cup handoff from Nathan MacKinnon and a well-deserved romp with hockey’s most prized possession. Not to mention praise from his coach.

“It’s been huge,” remarked Bednar when asked about Johnson’s contributions.

I’ll close by mentioning that Johnson recently earned a degree from the University of Michigan, fulfilling a promise he made long ago to his former collegiate coach Red Berenson.

These are definitely better days for Jack.

Sometimes nice guys do finish first.