Sep 16, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty (67) scores a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Chad Johnson (30) during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday, the Boston Bruins elected to take Chad Johnson over the (in my opinion) better Niklas Svedberg to be Tuukka Rask‘s back up goaltender. While a lot of us in social media are less than excited for this choice, the Bruins management felt that he was the better choice, and we’re just going to have to live with it. (Damn sure a lot of us don’t like it though.)
The new Bruins goaltender, wearing the number thirty immortalized by Gerry Cheevers and Tim Thomas is thrilled to be with the organization. “This was my goal, obviously, coming into camp to be with this club,” Johnson said. “I’m happy. I’m excited. It was a tough camp. Svedberg played great and had great camp, too. It was obviously a tough decision. We both played well. I’m happy I’m here. It was a tough camp, but it’s kind of like the easy part is over because you’ve got to play well during the season. I’m excited for it and I’ll focus on the day-to-day. It’s a tough league. The best players are here and this is where I want to be.”
This is one of those cases where the Bruins made a decision early, and just refused to change their minds. It looks like the same mentality that got Jordan Caron the job over Nick Johnson. (Another case of the better player being squeezed out due to the organization refusing to accept another possibility.) Now, I know in some cases this has to do with the Bruins being saddled with a very tight salary cap this season, and in Johnson’s case he was the cheaper option. (Had they just invited him for a PTO rather than plunking down six hundred thousand for mediocrity…)
There, my rant is over. Congratulations to Chad Johnson getting the job of goaltender for the Boston Bruins. The fans always have high expectations of the Bruins, and we really hope you do well. Please verify the trust the organization has placed in you.