The Pittsburgh Penguins signed forward Nick Johnson to a one-year contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.
Johnson, who was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, opted to re-sign with the Penguins to a two-way deal worth $550,000 at the NHL level that runs through the 2011-12 season.
Johnson, 25, appeared in four games for Pittsburgh this past season, posting three points (1G-2A) before suffering a concussion that sidelined him for the remaining 23 games of the regular season and playoffs.
Johnson (6-foot-2, 196 pounds) spent the majority of the year with Pittsburgh’s top-minor league affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. He posted 20 goals, 39 points, 10 power-play goals and a plus-12 rating in 48 games with WBS.
Johnson, Pittsburgh’s third-round pick (67th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, has played 10 games with Pittsburgh in his career, notching two goals and five points. He’s played three-plus seasons with WBS after turning pro in 2007-08. He’s totaled 50 goals, 94 points and a plus-46 rating in 169 career games with WBS, adding 15 postseason points (8G-7A) in 26 contests.
Johnson projects to battle for a forward spot going into training camp but will have to pass through waivers if he doesn’t make the team out of camp.
The Penguins right now have no “true” right wingers signed for next season with Tyler Kennedy, Pascal Dupuis, Arron Asham not signed and the team not interested in bringing back Alex Kovalev.
Johnson and Eric Tangradi will be among the top players on two-way contracts who will be battling for roster spots in camp.