Tyler Johnson went from 72 points in 2014-15 to just 38 points in 2015-16. It was a sharp drop in production for the diminutive Lightning center, but it sounds like he had a pretty good excuse.
In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Johnson revealed that the broken wrist he suffered in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final was still a bother for much of last season.
“I had no strength, didn’t really have flexibility,” Johnson said. “It took me a long time to be able to do anything. It was pretty much about January I could finally do a push-up.”
He added that he’s healthy now, and that he “finished the summer stronger than I’ve ever been.”
This is a big year for the 26-year-old. He’s a pending restricted free agent, and he’s on a team where the salary cap is expected to force some tough decisions.
“I can’t wait for this season to start, to really show what I can do,” he said.