Jack Johnson is a nuclear bomb for any NHL fanbase
By Mark Powell
Jack Johnson is available for any and all NHL teams
Johnson was recently bought out by the Pittsburgh Penguins, a move that was celebrated in similar fashion to a Stanley Cup parade down Fifth Avenue, something Yinzers have grown all too accustomed to during the Sidney Crosby era. Johnson’s three-year, $16.25 million contract was viewed as an albatross the minute it was signed, and it took Jim Rutherford two seasons to come to terms with his mistake.
Yet, the buyout is complete, making Johnson a rich man. He’s also free to play for his worth, which has significantly deteriorated after two years in the Steel City. Several teams, including the New York Rangers, have already made a call to Johnson’s camp.
Sources have told me the Rangers have interest in Jack Johnson.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) October 9, 2020
Rangers fans are already terrified of Jack Johnson
The Rangers’ interest does not mean they’re going to sign him. Yet, the Rangers’ fan base is already reacting as though he’s on a defensive pairing with Tony Deangelo on opening night.
Getting Staal off the books just to sign Jack Johnson pic.twitter.com/ROWoNRY3K0
— Andrew (@based_shesty) October 9, 2020
Per @EvolvingHockey, here is a list of defensemen with a lower Goals Above Replacement rating over the last three seasons than Jack Johnson:
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) October 9, 2020
Penguins fans getting together to celebrate the Jack Johnson buyout news pic.twitter.com/ZTjBcBOPoq
— Purple Monkey Dishwasher (@HayekandHockey) October 5, 2020
i swear to god if we let Fast walk to sign JACK JOHNSON, i’m calling it quits on life. Jeff Gorton, please don’t do this to me
— King Nic (@RangersNic) October 9, 2020
like my father always said: if you're able to finagle out of Marc Staal's cap hit, yo've just got to immediately replace it with Jack Johnson cap hit
— HockeyStatMiner (@HockeyStatMiner) October 9, 2020
I wish I could. Yohe’s got the scoops too though... #NYR showing interest in Jack Johnson https://t.co/zju27TXltb
— NRD (@NHLRumorsDaily) October 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/brittanyyyyy_h/status/1314623101980807170
idk who needs to hear this but signing Jack Johnson to ANYTHING is a huge mistake. We know Quinn gonna play him 20 mins a night bc he has good “work ethic”
— King Nic (@RangersNic) October 9, 2020
Johnson hasn’t even confirmed said interest! Neither have the Rangers.
Jack Johnson is a nuclear bomb to no fault of his own. As hockey analytics become more common in NHL front offices, and the knowledge of such tactics spread across even the most average of hockey pundits (me!), Johnson’s status as the worst defenseman available has been solidified. He makes any team actively worse, despite his veteran presence.
At 33 years old, Johnson’s best years are behind him. His friendship with Crosby caused the Penguins to take a chance and sign him to a deal that he was by no means qualified for. If the Rangers make a similar mistake, they deserve the hate mail coming their way.
Next. Trading for Matt Murray is a solid gamble for the Ottawa Senators. dark