He is going to stay in school for the 4 years and after he graduates he will become an Unrestricted Free Agent after he decides not to sign with Carolina. I think you will see a decent amount of college players doing this and signing with the team of their choice..
I'm not sure what will happen.
I'm not sure how Johnson feels about Carolina.
But I am sure of this: Prior to the draft, I sat down with the four USNTDP players headed to the UofM (Johnson, Mitera, Jason Bailey and the other guy ... oh, and a player named Fardig.)
I asked Johnson a bit about his plans ... During the conversation he said "My goal is to win four national championships at Michigan."
I said, "unless you get offered millions to play in the NHL, right?"
He said, "No. My goal is to win four national championships at UofM'
Now, obviously, UofM didn't win it last year. So that goal is out the window.
But what's his new goal???
I know that this kid has been committed to the UofM for a long time. I know he enjoys life in Ann Arbor.
Maybe he wants to do the four full years at UofM.
And """IF"""" he does, then WHY SHOULDN'T he become a UFA and sign whereever he wants?
He might want to play in Detroit. Or maybe Minnesota. Or maybe he wants to play with his good friend in Pittsburg.
Or maybe he wants to sign right now with Carolina.
Who knows?
But I don't think people should discount other possibilities just because they're a little out of the ordinary. I mean, it does seem strange to turn down instant money and risk injury at college playing for little more than a scholarship.
But JJ does things a little differently from most. He's got a lot of support from his family. And he seems like a headstrong kid.