5 NHL players set to have comeback seasons in 2018-19

4. Jack Johnson

It’s understandable that NHL fans would question the tenure and money the Pittsburgh Penguins offered to defenseman Jack Johnson this offseason, but expect the 6-foot-1 skater to make a statement and have a comeback year in the Steel City for 2019.

The former third-overall selection (2005) was once regarded as one of the most promising blueliners to lace up the skates in the last decade, but it was apparent that a trade over to the Columbus Blue Jackets from the Los Angeles Kings had taken a toll on Johnson’s performance level. Johnson, 31, lost leverage on Columbus’ depth chart with the rise of other defensemen such as Seth Jones and Zach Werenski.

However, Johnson’s playing style is the right fit for the Penguins and expect the left-handed shooter to have a prime opportunity to grow as one of the league’s top defenseman, again.

Let’s not forget that Johnson could end up positioning himself on one of the team’s power-play units, and he’ll help quarterback a power play that finished first in the NHL last season (26.2 percent). No, Johnson didn’t record a single point on the man-advantage in 2017-18, but with the veteran now feeding pucks to the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, expect that stat line to change as soon as the puck drops in October for the Pens.

It’s not uncommon to see former star-caliber skaters rebound when leaving an organization and joining a team that’s a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, either. If forward Phil Kessel could fit in with the Penguins, then so can Johnson.