A Tough Off-Season Decision for the Blackhawks: Tyler Johnson

A player who has recently won back-to-back Stanley cups can offer a lot to a group of younger players in the midst of a rebuild. If that player is out with injury, fans are left wondering what more can he offer that Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews can't. As summer trades start popping up, will forward Tyler Johnson end up staying or leaving after his short amount of time here?

Johnson was traded to the Blackhawks in July of 2021, but fans haven't been able to see much of him since he's been here. He sustained a neck injury on Oct. 29, followed by surgery keeping him out for three months. In 26 games played with the Hawks, Johnson has seven points (3G, 4A).

Johnson's contract is the fifth highest on the Blackhawks at a $5,000,000 cap hit, and he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023-2024 season. As a forward who's good on the power play and in faceoffs, this doesn't seem like too bad of a price. However, general manager Kyle Davidson might not want to take a chance with him due to how his past neck injury may hinder his game in the future.

Given what the Vegas Golden Knights have experienced with Jack Eichel (14G, 11A in 34 games), who had the same artificial disc replacement surgery three weeks before Johnson, I think it's likely that he stays with the Hawks. The only way I see Johnson being traded is if Davidson whips up another insane trade similar to Brandon Hagel's.


Davidson seemingly likes to hardball in his trades, and it wouldn't surprise me if he denied any offer given for Johnson if he thinks for even a second that it's not enough. Knowing this, I think Johnson will play at least one more season in a Blackhawks uniform.