Tampa Bay Lightning: Tyler Johnson, Rising Star
All season long, I have watched (when I could) Tampa Bay Lightning’s center Tyler Johnson turn into one heck of a hockey player. He is only in his second full year at the NHL level, but the 24-year-old Washington native is playing like a seasoned vet.
He has explosive speed, great hands and vision, and an offensive prowess that puts many second-year players to shame. No sophomore slump for this fella! During the regular season, Johnson recorded 72 points in 77 games (29 goals, 43 assists) and a crazy plus-33 rating.
Last night, Johnson was the story for the Bolts as they found themselves down by two goals in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings. With a little more than five minutes left to play, Johnson scored to cut the lead in half. He then assisted on Ondrej Palat’s goal to tie the game, and evened the series at two apiece with a beautiful game-winning goal in OT.
It says something about a player when he can outshine the likes of Steven Stamkos (who desperately needs to find the back of the net). Johnson has been the reason Tampa is still in this series and not at home enjoying the summer. He has two two-goal games, and has brought life to the Bolts offense. His next feat: to get their power play going. Might seem like an arduous feat for a second-year player, but Johnson has clearly proven no task is too big for him.
Many players have skill in the NHL, so what makes Johnson so special? His work ethic. Johnson is a competitor through and through. He knows he isn’t the biggest player out on the ice (5′ 8″ 183 lbs.) but he makes up for it with his speed and puck handling abilities. He doesn’t take a shift off and is always looking to improve his game. This is the type of player you want on the ice in any and every situation.
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In my mind, players like Johnson and Ryan Callahan (he is my favorite player in the NHL and worthy of a mention), are far more valuable than snipers and superstars. Why? They have something to prove and when you have critics and people telling you you can’t do something, you are more inclined to push yourself harder to prove people wrong. I would rather have the players that believe they need to prove themselves than the players who think others need to step up to their level.
Johnson has often been underestimated throughout his career. Many scouts didn’t think he could compete at this level. Well, they were wrong. But Johnson uses this to his advantage. When his opponents give him too much room, he makes them pay.
Johnson is young and still has a lot to learn about the game, but I believe he has only scratched the surface of his potential. If he stays healthy and doesn’t lose the hunger he possesses, he will become a mainstay in Tampa Bay and a franchise player who can, one day hopefully, call himself a Stanley Cup Champion.