The Penguins’ rivalry with the Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t need any additional spice, but it got some anyway on Sunday for the start of NHL free agency.
At the center, of course, was Pittsburgh’s signing of defenseman Jack Johnson to a five-year, $16.25 million contract and whether that was warranted given Johnson’s coming off the worst year of his career and spent 11 of Columbus’ last 14 games as a healthy scratch.
“He was a healthy scratch at the end of the season,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. “I know the reason why. It wasn’t because of how he was playing.