As the cash-strapped Penguins look to address their blue line, a familiar name has emerged as a potential fit and someone the organization plans to seriously consider: Jack Johnson.
A longtime Columbus Blue Jacket, Johnson, 31, will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and multiple sources confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Penguins have discussed the possibility of acquiring the veteran defenseman.
Penguins management can’t officially approach Johnson until the start of the interview period at 11:01 p.m. on Sunday, but several factors may render that moot.
For one, Johnson is good friends with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.