Blackhawks News: Tyler Johnson announces retirement

Tyler Johnson's best years in the NHL were by no means spent in Chicago.

By the time Johnson had joined the Blackhawks, he was a back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion, a cap casualty as the Tampa Bay Lightning aimed to extend their contending window.

Johnson announced his retirement in a social media post on Monday. He went undrafted at the NHL Draft but made his NHL debut during the 2012-13 NHL Season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Over the course of his career in Tampa Bay, Johnson registered 161 goals and 361 points in 589 NHL games. His best season came during the 2014-15 season, when he registered 72 points in 77 games.

Johnson's back-to-back Stanley Cups in Tampa Bay were impressive, but it was not his only playoff success. During the 2014-15 NHL Season, Johnson played a major role in the Lightning's Stanley Cup Final run, registering 13 goals and 23 points.

Johnson led the Lightning in goals and points, and while they eventually fell to the Blackhawks in 6 games, Johnson was a major piece to the Lightning's success that year.

Johnson joined the Blackhawks during the 2021 offseason. The Blackhawks traded Brent Seabrook's contract to Tampa Bay in exchange for Johnson and a 2023 2nd Round Pick.

Tyler Johnson's time in Chicago did not feature a lot of success, but he was a good voice during the rebuild.

Tyler Johnson played with the Blackhawks from 2021 until 2024, playing in 149 games and registered 70 points (32G, 38A) during that time. Johnson stuck it out with the Blackhawks during some pretty poor seasons for the organization, and he deserves some applause from Blackhawks fans as he heads into retirement.

In his social media post, Johnson spoke highly of his time in Chicago.

"Playing for an Original Six team, the Chicago Blackhawks, was a profound privilege," Johnson said. "Wearing the crest of hockey's legends was humbling. My only regret is not bringing more success to Chicago's passionate fans—you deserve it."

As the Blackhawks rebuild continues this season, with general manager Kyle Davidson continuing to build through the NHL Draft, Johnson is a good reminder that talent does not always come strictly from the NHL Draft.

Despite going undrafted, Johnson was able to play in the NHL for 13 years, winning two Stanley Cups and playing as a top line forward for a number of years in Tampa Bay. Congratulations to Johnson on one heck of a career!