The Boston Bruins selected Jonathan Morello, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, for Clarkson University this season. However, he chose to stay in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints rather than attend Clarkson this autumn. Attending the Bruins rookie development camp in July, Morello shown decent skating ability and some potential as a center-round late-round selection. Morello declared his commitment to Boston University on Friday, stating that he will play for the school in 2025–2026.

The 6-foot-3, 192-pound center played for the St. Michael’s Buzzers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for two seasons, scoring 41 goals and dishing out 56 assists in 101 games overall. Morello had a fantastic postseason campaign last year, scoring 21 points in 11 games. The Toronto native was selected by the Fighting Saints with the 97th overall choice in the USHL Draft, but he chose to remain in Ontario and committed to Clarkson. Now that Morello has made the decision to play in the USHL this season, the Bruins organization will be able to keep an eye on his development as he will be nearby playing for Boston University the following season.

Morello, a 2024 Central Scouting ranking of 98th in North America, was characterized as “An open ice threat who is easily one of the fastest skaters at the Tier 2 level in Canada.” His turn-out mechanics and cutting edges are excellent for this level and bode well for next ones. He seldom comes in second when pucks are chipped to create space. His length and quickness stretch plays along the wall and force mistakes on the forecheck. (Friendly to Caps)

After the Boston Bruins picked 6-foot-7 pivot Dean Letourneau with the 25th overall pick in the first round, Morello was one of two centers selected by the team. Letourneau will join the Eagles as a freshman and attend Boston College. The Bruins also have Dans Locmelis at UMass-Amherst, goalie Philip Svedeback at Providence College, and attackers Oskar Jellvik and Andre Gasseau at BC. For the 2025–26 season, Morello will join a Hockey East powerhouse, which is a huge boost and may propel him to the top of the Bruins prospect list very quickly.

Tyler Johnson’s PTO signing with the Bruins is a wise addition.

Signings may still take place despite the end of the free agency madness. There are still a lot of players available who might be signed to a contract. It might be a professional tryout (PTO) if it’s not an actual contract. Don Sweeney, general manager of the Boston Bruins, has taken just that path.

Tyler Johnson, a seasoned forward, has been added by Sweeney on a PTO. He brought in Danton Heinen last summer and eventually inked him to a deal. He was a key member of the Bruins during the 2023–24 season, thus that contract really paid off. Johnson, a veteran of the Tampa Bay Lightning, played with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023–24. This is a wonderful move by Sweeney, even though the Bruins roster is fixed in stone for the most part.

Johnson Is a Fantastic Newcomer

Johnson is a fantastic complement to this group. He is an extremely useful asset because he is a versatile player who can play both center and wing. Even though he may have passed his prime, he is still capable of playing good hockey.

Throughout his career, Johnson has scored 20 goals on four separate occasions. In addition, he has scored more than 40 points twice, more than 50 points twice, and, in the 2014–15 season, he recorded a career-high 72 points. Although it hasn’t been that high in a few seasons, he is coming off consecutive seasons in which he scored 30 points for the Blackhawks. That is a guy who can be useful and add depth to the center of the lineup. He finished the 2023–24 season with 31 points and 17 goals. That’s not too bad, and the Bruins might gain from it.

The rosters of the Bruins and the Blackhawks are superior. Johnson can profit from the same advantages that veterans like James van Riemsdyk experienced with the Bruins the previous season.

Where Johnson Fits Into the Lineup Van Riemsdyk played third line duty for the bulk of the season. There is space for a player like Johnson going into the 2024–25 campaign, provided he shows the team a good reason to keep him around.

The rosters of the Bruins and the Blackhawks are superior. Johnson can profit from the same advantages that veterans like James van Riemsdyk experienced with the Bruins the previous season.

Where Johnson Fits Into the Lineup Van Riemsdyk played third line duty for the bulk of the season. There is space for a player like Johnson going into the 2024–25 campaign, provided he shows the team a good reason to keep him around.

The way the Bruins forward group is currently assembled, adding a player like Johnson is fantastic. He is a capable middle-six winger who can operate in a variety of settings. In addition, he is a person who can add 20 goals to your total and serve as a backup producer for the best players. In addition, he has a winning history as a Stanley Cup champion and is a seasoned presence and leader. Adding a successful player to the squad is a smart move for the Bruins, who are vying for the Stanley Cup. During the 2023–24 season, the Bruins achieved success with their senior signings, and Johnson might lead to another successful season.