NHL Buzz: Johnson makes Bruins debut after signing 1-year contract

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Each day during the regular season, NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

Boston Bruins

Tyler Johnson made his season debut for the Bruins against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

The forward, who signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Bruins on Monday, had been with Boston on a professional tryout.

"I wanted to be a part of a team that had expectations to try to win, that was the biggest thing," Johnson said Tuesday. "The Boston organization is just top-notch and class. The very first day I was in here, you could really see the professionalism from top to bottom and it just kind of felt good, it felt like just at home. Ever since that first day I got here, I knew I wanted to be here talking throughout the summer, it was something I thought I would want, but once I actually got to experience it, see the guys, see the culture, everyone who works for the organization, it was top-notch."

The 34-year-old, who had 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists) in 67 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, played right wing on a line with left wing Trent Frederic and center Matthew Poitras.

"Energy, poise, wisdom and just game management," coach Jim Montgomery said on what Johnson would bring. "He's going to make plays. He's going to be able to help us on the bench. Just another veteran voice who has won a couple of Cups."

Johnson has 431 points (193 goals, 238 assists) in 738 NHL regular-season games and won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. -- Dave McCarthy

Tampa Bay Lightning

Brayden Point did not play against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday because of an undisclosed injury.

The center scored in a 7-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday but played just 3:47 before leaving the game. Point has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 12 games and led Tampa Bay with 46 goals last season.

"He's out tonight," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "We'll just take it one game at a time."

Tampa Bay recalled Gage Goncalves from Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. -- Lou Korac

Colorado Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin has been cleared to practice with the Avalanche and will play Nov. 15 when they host the Washington Capitals at Ball Arena, coach Jared Bednar said Monday.

The 29-year-old forward has been in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHL Players’ Association Player Assistance Program since May 13. He set NHL career highs in goals (28) and points (53) in 54 games last season and was tied with Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers for the League lead in Stanley Cup Playoff goals (nine) before being suspended without pay for a minimum of six months.

"It's good, it's great,” Bednar said. “Need all the help we can get, so add in a quality player like Val back, even if it's just for practice, then we know when he gets cleared to join the team then he'll be ready to go.

“I talked to a handful of guys. I mean, they know how much we need him. They know what he means to our team, and they're excited to have him back. They've seen him around here now for a couple weeks, but now to be able to join the team, it's starting to get real."

The Avalanche (5-7-0) activated forward Artturi Lehkonen off injured reserve Sunday. He made his season debut against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday after having offseason shoulder surgery.

Forwards Ivan Ivan, Nikolai Kovalenko and Nikita Prishchepov were recalled from Colorado of the American Hockey League on Monday.

"It's good having more bodies back, and between 'Lehky' now, 'Drou' (Jonathan Drouin) getting close, and Val out there, it's huge to see,” defenseman Cale Makar said. “So I think Val, in his own right, his effectiveness is being probably the best power forward in the League, there's not really anyone that can replicate that, in my opinion. So, it's good having him back out there.

“I think you see the work ethic he put in this summer. He looks to be in really good shape. He'll obviously be coming back in a couple weeks here, and it'll be awesome to get him back as well." -- Ryan Boulding

Seattle Kraken

Oliver Bjorkstrand was a healthy scratch for the Kraken against the Avalanche on Tuesday.

The forward has five points (three goals, two assists) in 13 games this season for the Kraken (5-7-1), who have lost three straight and have been shut out the past two.

“We've talked about, and I've talked about, high expectations for our team and how we want to play, and I think we all can be better in that regard,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “And yes, the message is not just to Oliver, it's to the whole group.”

Bjorkstrand had 59 points (20 goals, 39 assists) in 82 regular-season games last season, his second with Seattle after seven with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Kraken recalled Ryan Winterton from Coachella Valley of the AHL on Tuesday. Winterton, who played wing alongside Shane Wright and Eeli Tolvanen, had five points (three goals, two assists) in seven games for Coachella Valley.

John Hayden also made his season debut for the Kraken. The forward's previous NHL game was Jan. 21, a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I think there's a clear expectation for the team, and I don't think anyone thinks we're at our best yet and haven't given our best 60 minutes through 13 games, in particular the last couple,” Bylsma said. “And that goes for the team and goes for the players. I think every player in there should feel that way.

“And yes, looking for 'Wints' and John to come in, to add a little of that compete, add a little of that bite to our lineup and to our team mentality.” -- Ryan Boulding

Buffalo Sabres

Zach Benson returned for the Sabres against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.

The forward missed the previous five games because of a lower-body injury he’d been playing through since the Sabres were in Prague for the 2024 Global Series Czechia presented by Fastenal.

Benson skated on Monday and at the morning skate on Tuesday at left wing with Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, the line he’d primarily been on before he was shut down Oct. 22. He rejoined the Sabres for the first time on Friday at their morning skate.

Benson, who had 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 71 games as a rookie in 2023-24, has been held without a point in six games this season.

“It definitely weighs on you a bit mentally,” Benson said Friday. “Everyone wants to play their game, especially early on. So, it definitely was frustrating, but that’s the past now. I’m excited to get back out there and play my game.” -- Heather Engel

Washington Capitals

Matt Roy could return for the Capitals when they host the Nashville Predators on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, MNMT, TVAS) after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury.

The defenseman hasn't played since being injured in the second period of Washington's season opener against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 12. He said he felt 100 percent after being a full participant in practice Tuesday and coach Spencer Carbery said, "he is definitely a possibility" to play against Nashville.

"He's continued to progress and today was another box checked of being in a regular practice, regular jersey," Carbery said. "So, all things trending towards potentially playing tomorrow."

Defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who has missed the past three games with an upper-body injury, skated for about 45 minutes with skills coach Kenny McCudden before practice and Carbery said he's also progressing.

"Not to the point where he's in practice quite yet, but moving along," Carbery said. -- Tom Gulitti

St. Louis Blues

Philip Broberg will miss 4-6 weeks because of a lower-body injury.

The defenseman was injured at 7:02 of the second period of a 4-2 win against the Maple Leafs on Saturday when Toronto forward Mitch Marner fell on Broberg along the boards.

Broberg, who has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 12 games and is tied with Ryan Suter for first with a plus-6 rating, was clutching his right leg and limped to the dressing room after the injury.

"We got the news on 'Broby' yesterday; for us it's good news when you look at what happened and how the play happened," St. Louis coach Drew Bannister said after practice Monday.

Broberg was playing on the second defense pair with Justin Faulk, which now will be occupied at least for the time being by Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

"You hate to see a guy go down like that," Joseph said of Broberg. "He's been unbelievable for us, but everyone needs to step up. Everyone's got to step up and find a new role. That's what I'm trying to do."

Defenseman Nick Leddy and forward Mathieu Joseph remain unavailable because of a lower-body injury. -- Lou Korac

Winnipeg Jets

Kyle Connor practiced Monday after the forward left during the third period of the Jets' 7-4 win against the Lightning on Sunday.

An NHL concussion spotter pulled Connor from the game after he received a high hit to the upper back from Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov.

Connor, who has 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) this season and extended his franchise-record season-opening point streak to 12 games with an assist Sunday, did not return.

“He looked good,” Winnipeg associate coach Marty Johnston said following practice. “He was quick, he was fast, and he was ‘K.C.,’ so it didn't look any different to me."

Jets defenseman Ville Heinola (ankle infection) and forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan (broken foot) each practiced in noncontact jerseys but remain on injured reserve.

Johnston also said forward Nikolaj Ehlers and defenseman Logan Stanley did not practice Monday because of maintenance. They both played against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday. -- Darrin Bauming

New York Islanders

Isaiah George made his NHL debut for the Islanders against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old defenseman was recalled from Bridgeport of the AHL after he had one goal and one assist in four games.

"It's really exciting," George said. "I found out last night. It's a dream come true. So, I'm just looking forward to it. … I think it feels good that you're the guy that they call on. So, I'm just trying to take advantage of the opportunity and have some fun out there."

George was selected by New York in the fourth round (No. 98) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He had 30 points (six goals, 24 assists) in 68 games for London of the Ontario Hockey League last season.

"The reports [from Bridgeport] were really good," Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. "They were very happy with him, and he's been playing really well for them. What I like about his game is he skates very well and moves the puck well. So, I think it'd be a good opportunity for him."

Defensemen Alexander Romanov and Mike Reilly remain day to day for New York. The Islanders are also missing defenseman Adam Pelech and forward Mathew Barzal, who are expected to be out 4-6 weeks with upper-body injuries.

Forward Anthony Duclair also is out long term because of a lower-body injury sustained Oct. 19. -- Stefen Rosner