User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 

Thursday, 29 September 2011 12:14

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

The Nick Johnson era in Pittsburgh has come to an end.

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Minnesota Wild has claimed Johnson of waivers. The Wild is coached by former Penguins assistant coach Mike Yeo.

A third-round pick in 2004, Johnson spent parts of two NHL seasons with the Penguins. Last season, he appeared in four NHL games and scored three points (one goal, two assists) before having his season cut short due to a concussion.

-EN Says: Johnson had a strong training camp this month and got a chance to show what he could do on the Penguins' top lines in preseason game. But with the Penguins' depth he wasn't going to get a chance this season unless someone was unavailable.

Minnesota doesn't have nearly the depth the Penguins do. He'll certainly get a better chance with the Wild than he would have with the Penguins.

(Photos: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Comments (8)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by Bones, September 29, 2011 - 12:29 PM

Well, this happens. Would have been nice to have him available when the inevitable injuries start piling up, but what are you going to do? Hope he does well here in Minnesota.

• 
• +1
• 
• 

...
written by kpa42, September 29, 2011 - 12:45 PM

Meh. As soon as he was waived I figured it was unrealistic to expect him to clear. Still kinda sucks, he was a great depth guy to have.

• 
• +3
• 
• 

...
written by Boom Shaka, September 29, 2011 - 12:51 PM

Slick pick up by Minnesota...damn Mike Yeo and his powerplay!!!

• 
• +3
• 
• 

...
written by espo33, September 29, 2011 - 12:53 PM

The pens put them in that situation when they resigned Dupius and the signed Parks, Sullivan and Williams. It blows because the Pens don't have any good depth at wing in WB.

• 
• -2
• 
• 

...
written by gregenstein, September 29, 2011 - 12:55 PM

Does TSN also employ Doug McKenzie?

• 
• +5
• 
• 

...
written by jameshutton, September 29, 2011 - 12:59 PM

Too bad. I thought he should have stuck at least for the next round before Vitale. He seems to have some scoring touch, which the Pens clearly lack on the wings, and could have helped when the inevitable injuries occur.

Oh well. Good luck to him.

• 
• +3
• 
• 

...
written by bastage42, September 29, 2011 - 03:00 PM

I liked what I saw of him, but as kpa42 said as soon as I saw him waived I thought he'd be gone. That darn Yeo!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Disgruntled Goat, September 29, 2011 - 03:42 PM

Johnson will be 26 in December, that's too old to be considered a prospect. If he couldn't break into the top 14 forwards even with Crosby and Jeffrey injured, then he's probably better off getting an opportunity somewhere else. I'm sure that the WBS fans aren't too happy right now, but this was a good move for Johnson.

• 
• +3
• 
•