It is unlikely forward Ross Johnston remains on the New York Islanders’ NHL roster for the entire upcoming season, according to Kevin Kurz of The Athletic. Despite acknowledging Johnston’s dedication, demeanor and other positive off-ice intangibles, Kurz argues carrying an enforcer with limited playing time is not practical in today’s league. The expectation is the team will either try to trade Johnston before or during training camp or reassign him to the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders to free up cap space.
The Islanders made Johnston one of the most oft-healthy scratched players in the league in 2022-23, only playing him in 16 out of a possible 88 combined regular-season and playoff games. Johnston did not have any sustained injuries or suspensions on record last season, nor was he ever assigned to the minors for conditioning purposes or otherwise. He posted two assists and 37 penalty minutes in 7:48 of ice time per game, and moving him will be a tough sell with three years remaining at a $1.1MM cap hit. In seven seasons as an Islander, Johnston has suited up in just 134 games despite being given 11 total contract years from the team.
Elsewhere in the Metropolitan Division tonight:
- Czech forward Tomas Nosek expressed his desire to stay with the Boston Bruins after a successful season, but they showed little interest in re-signing him. However, a phone call from Czech legend Patrik Elias convinced him to join the New Jersey Devils on a one-year, one-way deal worth $1MM, notes Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com. Nosek’s decision was influenced by Elias’ praise for the Devils and their potential to compete for the Stanley Cup, telling Novozinsky the call from Elias “made a positive impact on my decision.” Now with almost 400 NHL games under his belt, Nosek aims to continue his personal six-year playoff streak with the Devils and will likely factor in heavily on their penalty kill while playing a fourth-line center role, as he’s done with success in recent years for the Bruins and Vegas Golden Knights.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have brought in Cam Charron as a hockey research and development analyst, according to the team’s staff listing on their website. It’s yet another add for the Penguins from general manager Kyle Dubas’ former regime in Toronto, where Charron served as an analyst from 2014 to 2022. Based in Vancouver, Charron took his year off last season to enter the media sphere, serving as a contributor for The Athletic.
Lou just came to that decision now????