Jack Johnson

[Falloooooon]

In an effort to inspire hockey talk at this here Broad, I will refrain from trying to get this question answered elsewhere.

Jack Johnson was allegedly going to debut Tuesday night against the Sharks. I was out and about and unable to see the game, but the shift chart on NHL.com does not have any Johnson on it.

Is it known when he will be debuting? Please say Thursday night.

Anyone else excited to see what it's all about with him? I am, even though his presence on the Kings sucks for the Sharks.

[Alberta Yote]

I understand he is set to debut Thursday. I believe the game is against Vancouver in LA.

My guess is that he will have a strong start and the cries from Carolina will fire up all over again. And increase when the Canes miss the playoffs.

[sveiglar]

It must be ironic for the Ducks to see Johnson playing for the cross town rival after they had the chance to pick him #2 after Crosby. Sure Ryan is also a talanted player, but Johnson has the higher upside based on what I have read so far.

Guess, it's also pretty good that he won't be all over (8x) the Thrashers & Senators (4x) for years to come. Stupid Canes.

Based on his scouting report on TSN it seems that Johnson only flaw is that he may not produce big numbers in the NHL. According to various media outlets he'll debut this Thursday.

Speaking of another Johnson, what about Erik Johnson? I read that he's also about to sign with the Blues.

Seriously though, what kind of flaw is that? This is the same "flaw" that people wanted to put on Eric Brewer; ask JD if Brewer hasn't been amazing this year and a key reason for the Blues turnaround from the debacle of last season. I think J.Johnson will be impact from day one; he plays a pro style already and I believe is more suited to the NHL than he was college.

On Erik, I haven't read anything, but you know that Davidson et al must be salivating to get him inked and in the lineup in September (if not for the final few games). I know that Staal has had a marvelous year for Pittsburgh, but I still really like this pick for St. Louis.

[AD]

I understand he is set to debut Thursday. I believe the game is against Vancouver in LA.

My guess is that he will have a strong start and the cries from Carolina will fire up all over again. And increase when the Canes miss the playoffs.

All 4 canes fans crying at the same time! Wow... do you think it will drown out the noise from the Nascar races?




I kid of course... sorry Dave to the G, I had to, it was too easy.



N-e-ways, back to JJ.

I still maintain that its not that bad of a trade for Carolina, especially considering that Johnson might have never signed there.

[PredsFan77]

He was defeated by the horizon

[Waiting for Guiteau]

I have no problem with the JJ trade. In fact with the performance of Gleason so far this season exceeding expectations I have less of a problem with the trade then I did when it first happened.

I've watched Johnson whenever possible as I'm a team USA fan first, Canes fan second. He's a gamebreaker in the purest sense of the word, always looking to make the big play. The only problem is that it's often to his own teams detriment. People seem to forget the performance in game 1 vs Canada at the WJC this year where he was caught out of position not once but twice pinching to lead to goals against the US team. He had a few of those the second time as well but Frazee bailed his ass out. Once he learns when he's in good position to pinch or go for the big hit rather then a position where he puts his team at risk by doing so he'll be an elite player. He may even be the best American player since Chelios in his prime. Right now he's VERY mistake prone and my best bet is that it will likely take him a couple seasons to get over that and maybe one more to turn into a true #1 defenseman. He'll give out the highlight reel hits right now for sure, but he'll also get burnt by the players at this level that are beyond anything he's gone up against in the WJC or NCAA.

Right now I'd say he's a top 4 defenseman for any team in the league shy of maybe Calgary, the issue is how long or not it will take him to be a #1... I think it takes him longer then most expect as he mentally has a good bit of maturation left to do. Don't forget that this wasn't Johnson for Gleason (who is no Aki Berg in his own right, in fact he's the Canes top defenseman right now) they also filled a much needed forward role and dumped an albatros of a contract that was Oleg Tverdovsky in the process, leaving a good bit more room to re-sign key guys like Whitney and Walker in the offseason.

[Falloooooon]

The highlight of Jack Johnson's NHL career to this point is being blown up in the neutral zone by a hip check from fucking JAN BULIS!!!

He's gotten a little PP time and made some nice passes. Nothing to show for it through two periods. I don't know if I can take another 20 minutes of Jim Fox, so I'm not sure if I will watch the third.

[Youneedhockey101]

as much as i hate bulis, you gotta love that hit!

[Rink Rage]

The Blues would be wise to leave E. Johnson in Minnesota another year. The way free agency is set up, if he signs now he is eligible when he is 26. If they wait one year it'll be when he is 27. They aren't winning anything next year, so they might as well defer that year to when it might make a difference for the franchise.

[Falloooooon]

Do you think having EJ on the roster would do anything for attendance in STL? I don't, but I don't know that the Blues see it that way or that they aren't desperate enough to try it just for the sake of trying it.

I agree with your sentiment though.

[RTWAP]

The Blues would be wise to leave E. Johnson in Minnesota another year. The way free agency is set up, if he signs now he is eligible when he is 26. If they wait one year it'll be when he is 27. They aren't winning anything next year, so they might as well defer that year to when it might make a difference for the franchise.

What about signing him and letting him mature in the AHL for a year. That doesn't count as an NHL year of service so they'd still have his rights until he's 27. And he would be able to transition to the NHL lifestyle and play.

[Rink Rage]

I thought it was 7 years from signing a contract, regardless of where he plays..

[sveiglar]

I thought it was 7 years from signing a contract, regardless of where he plays..

No, it's NHL service years. A year in the AHL might not be bad for him, but frankly I think he'd be able to step right into their lineup and contribute... so the decision will either be college or the Bluenote. St. Louis with him next year will be a better team than without him.. and they've been a pretty good team without him since Murray took over the reigns. They don't have the elite talent like Pittsburgh, but don't rule out a similar big leap up the standings; perhaps not to battling for a division title, but certainly for a playoff spot.

[Alberta Yote]

Do the rules allow a 19 year old from the NCAA to play in the AHL but not a junior?

[Rink Rage]

Do the rules allow a 19 year old from the NCAA to play in the AHL but not a junior?

Yes, like that Sigalet defensemen the Bruins signed as a 18 or 19 year old.

If it is NHL service and not when the contract was signed then definitely get Johnson's signature on a contract for him to progress to the next level in the A next season. He might even be ready by mid year.

[sveiglar]

Do the rules allow a 19 year old from the NCAA to play in the AHL but not a junior?

Yes, only the CHL has that CHL-or-NHL agreement. Young college guys that sign early can play in the AHL, just like Euros can.