Mike Johnson
Senior NHL analyst with over 15 years covering professional hockey. Former beat reporter for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
@mikejohnsonArticles by Mike Johnson (15)
Connor Bedard contract and Celebrini: How the Rising Salary Cap Rewrites Extensions
Connor Bedard contract questions are heating up as the NHL salary cap climbs — and Macklin Celebrini, Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson stand to benefit as teams scramble to lock up young cores.
Sunny Mehta Devils GM: What This Means for Hischier, Nemec and New Jersey’s Next Move
Sunny Mehta Devils GM hire signals a data-driven pivot for the New Jersey Devils, blending analytics with a winning culture and reshaping roster priorities around Nico Hischier and Simon Nemec.
NHL GM Search: Who Will the Predators, Maple Leafs, and Devils Hire?
nhl gm search heats up as the Predators, Maple Leafs and Devils interview high-profile candidates — here’s who fits, who’s likely to land the job, and what each hire would mean for roster moves.
New Jersey Devils Trade Rumors: Is It Time to Rethink the Core?
new jersey devils trade rumors are swirling as pundits argue the franchise may need to reshape its core — starting with a hard look at Nico Hischier and a search for more playoff DNA.
Canucks Block Predators From Interviewing Ryan Johnson as Allvin, Foote Futures Remain Up in Air
Vancouver denied Nashville permission to interview Abbotsford GM Ryan Johnson, a move that spotlights a franchise at a crossroads — with Patrik Allvin and Adam Foote's jobs still unclear and Jim Rutherford seemingly secure.
Allvin Likely Out, Fitzgerald on Hot Seat as Maple Leafs Launch GM Search
A wave of front-office uncertainty is sweeping the NHL: reports suggest Patrik Allvin doesn’t expect to return in Vancouver, Tom Fitzgerald is bracing for changes in New Jersey, and the Maple Leafs have kicked off a flexible GM search with analytics in mind.
Maple Leafs Shakeup: Treliving Out, Armstrong and Gillis Top Candidates as Front Office Future Hangs in the Balance
The Maple Leafs stunned the hockey world by parting ways with Brad Treliving, triggering an offseason chase for new leadership that could center on Doug Armstrong or Mike Gillis — but availability and fit remain the big questions.
Maple Leafs Face an Offseason Crossroads; Lightning’s Darren Raddysh Emerges as Key Market Name
Toronto must balance keeping star forwards with adding a puck-moving defenseman and a steady top-six center, while Tampa Bay’s Darren Raddysh shapes up as one of the offseason’s most intriguing unrestricted free agents.
Can Tampa Bay Keep Darren Raddysh? Contract Outlook, Market Value and Trade Implications
Darren Raddysh has become one of the hottest defensive commodities ahead of free agency. Insider Dave Pagnotta outlines Tampa Bay's options — and why the Bolts may have to pay up or risk losing their breakout blueliner.
Offseason Shakeup Looms: Which NHL Coaches and GMs Are on the Hot Seat?
As the NHL season winds down, question marks are piling up around several benches and GMs — most notably in Toronto, Los Angeles and New Jersey. We break down the names to watch, predictions, and what changes would mean for each club.
Why the Devils Stayed Quiet: Nemec, Hamilton and the Search for a First-Line Piece
The Devils turned heads by staying quiet at the deadline while fishing for a bona fide first-line forward. Simon Nemec’s name surfaced as a potential chip, Anton Silaev looms as a replacement, and Dougie Hamilton’s contract realities complicate New Jersey’s summer plan.
Deadline Frenzy: Kadri, Schenn, Faulk Headline a Flurry of 2026 NHL Deadline Deals
The 2026 NHL trade deadline exploded in the final hour as Nazem Kadri, Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk lead a wave of moves that reshaped playoff races and cap pictures across the league.
Kings Seek Scoring Boost: Laine Call Sparks Wide-Ranging Top-35 Trade Watch Ahead of Deadline
With the Kings exploring top-six scoring and a confirmed reach-out on Patrik Laine, the NHL trade market has lit up. A 35-player watch list points to heavy movement as contenders hunt offense before the deadline.
Tyler Myers Trade Watch: Canucks Weigh Detroit Offer as Veteran Mulls Move
A Detroit offer for Tyler Myers has Vancouver weighing options as the veteran, protected by a no-movement clause, considers whether to leave the city he called home.
Deadline Watch: DeBrusk Joins Canucks’ Rumor Mill as Red Wings, Predators Target Big-Game Pieces
As the NHL trade deadline approaches, Jake DeBrusk joins a growing list of Vancouver forwards rumoured to be on the move while Detroit and Nashville hone in on specific fits. Here’s a player-by-player breakdown, predictions and what each move would mean.