Blackhawks Bottom Line: Will There Be A Spot for Reese Johnson?

Over the course of the next month, Chicago Hockey Now will be profiling every Chicago Blackhawks player from the 2023-24 season. Today, will be forward Reese Johnson.

Reese Johnson
Forward
Games Played: 42
(Goals – Assists – Points): 2-3–5
Contract Status:  RFA with Arbitration Rights

The Short View

Reese Johnson was a depth player for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023-24 and played that role when on the ice. The Blackhawks struggled this season, and Reese Johnson was one of many who saw additional ice time as a result of injuries and roster shuffling.  While Johnson played his role in terms of physicality, the statistical side likely didn’t make a strong enough argument to remain as several bubble players are vying for roster spots next season.

The Long View

Reese Johnson is 25 years old. His five points as a forward won’t be a good enough argument to beat out the likes of a MacKenzie Entwistle, or Colin Blackwell who had better numbers and had the physical element to their game. It certainly isn’t to knock the efforts put out–but roster spots will likely be spoken for and in less quantity. Like Entwistle, he’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

So whether the Blackhawks bring him back will rely upon the thoughts of who else is arriving and how they see the team shaping out for next season.

The Bottom Line for Reese Johnson

Reese Johnson is the type of player you bring in to eat minutes. The Blackhawks aren’t going to be a Cup contender next year but they are looking to be better and how Johnson fits in there remains to be seen.

Johnson is definitively a bottom six player who can add value physically along with the occasional goal. Whether that spot is still with Chicago or elsewhere depends on the direction Kyle Davidson decides to take things. His numbers were comparable to last season’s numbers–with 15 less games played. But as mentioned throughout, roster spots will be tougher to come by and it may end up that Johnson–along with several others from the 2023-24 Blackhawks team, might not make the cut for 2024-25.