The Rangers signed someone both President John Davidson and Assistant Coach Jacques Martin are familiar with. Recently bought out Penguins defenseman, Jack Johnson comes in on a one year deal as insurance on left defense.
The 6-1, 227-pounder skated in 67 games with Pittsburgh this past season, registering three goals and eight assists for 11 points, along with 26 penalty minutes. Johnson ranked second among Penguins defensemen in games played in 2019-20, and he averaged 19:28 of ice time per game during the season. He led the Penguins in blocked shots (97) and ranked second on the team (led team defensemen) in hits (183) this past season. Johnson tied for second on the Penguins (tied for first among team defensemen) in average shorthanded ice time in 2019-20 (2:12) while helping Pittsburgh rank tied for eighth in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this past season (82.1%).
NYR
Jack Johnson joins Rangers
Listen, the issues with Jack Johnson were his contract and usage. Now that he is in on a one year deal for $1.15 million it’s a decent depth signing. The Rangers are going to give both Libor Hajek, K’Andre Miller, and Tarmo Reunanen a chance to take the spots open on left defense.
Johnson is the team’s insurance policy and 7th D. At best he will play third pair minutes and be adequate. My point is that no one needs to be up in arms over this signing.
Rangers add expansion protection for Georgiev
The Rangers have signed Keith Kinkaid to allow them to protect Alexandar Georgiev in expansion next summer. That’s all this signing is.
