2007-2008 Blues Draft and Off-Season thread

[JohnnyJay]

So, let me get this straight. The Blues selected TJ Oshie and Eric Johnson in the NHL draft knowing full well they were taking the risk of each player retaining amateur status for a period of time which might allow them to become uncommitted to the Blues organization?

If true, the Blues were stupid...stupid....stupid. And, it makes me wonder if they will make the same boneheaded mistakes with any or all three of their 3 first round selections this June.

That's the case with every player drafted.

Relax, Oshie will be a blue. The kid just wants a last shot at a nat'l championship. Remember, he's not 20 yet. He could spend all of next year at ND, all of 09 in Peoria and start with the Blues in 10 and he would be almost 22. Relax guys, that's still young.

And basing on what I've heard about him, by 2009/2010, he could develop into something even better. A 22 year old is young for the NHL (freakos like Gretz and Crosby aside).

[JCShutout]

So, let me get this straight. The Blues selected TJ Oshie and Eric Johnson in the NHL draft knowing full well they were taking the risk of each player retaining amateur status for a period of time which might allow them to become uncommitted to the Blues organization?

If true, the Blues were stupid...stupid....stupid. And, it makes me wonder if they will make the same boneheaded mistakes with any or all three of their 3 first round selections this June.

That's the case with every player drafted.

Relax, Oshie will be a blue. The kid just wants a last shot at a nat'l championship. Remember, he's not 20 yet. He could spend all of next year at ND, all of 09 in Peoria and start with the Blues in 10 and he would be almost 22. Relax guys, that's still young.

And basing on what I've heard about him, by 2009/2010, he could develop into something even better. A 22 year old is young for the NHL (freakos like Gretz and Crosby aside).

++

22 is still so young for hockey.

He needs to put on the muscle anyways.

Of course it is, but, the odds appear to be greater that the guys we are discussing not being Blues seems greater than normal.

That's a problem.

I don't think its a problem at all. I think if the Blues weren't hurting for young players to get excited about then people woulden't even be hearing about this.

Maybe JD just wanted to fill roster spots w/o going to expensive free agency. He wants to sell the kids in a "WE ARE LEIK TOTALLY REBUILDING! WE NO NEED RYAN SMITH! LOOK AT TEH YOSHIE AND OUR JOHNSON AS PROOFS!!!11!!1!one1! TEH FUTUREZ IS NOW!!1" type of way to sell tickets.

[StL Dan]

I don't think its a problem at all. I think if the Blues weren't hurting for young players to get excited about then people woulden't even be hearing about this.

Maybe JD just wanted to fill roster spots w/o going to expensive free agency. He wants to sell the kids in a "WE ARE LEIK TOTALLY REBUILDING! WE NO NEED RYAN SMITH! LOOK AT TEH YOSHIE AND OUR JOHNSON AS PROOFS!!!11!!1!one1! TEH FUTUREZ IS NOW!!1" type of way to sell tickets.

Your words comfort thee. I will rest in your knowledge on the matter.

[JCShutout]

I don't think its a problem at all. I think if the Blues weren't hurting for young players to get excited about then people woulden't even be hearing about this.

Maybe JD just wanted to fill roster spots w/o going to expensive free agency. He wants to sell the kids in a "WE ARE LEIK TOTALLY REBUILDING! WE NO NEED RYAN SMITH! LOOK AT TEH YOSHIE AND OUR JOHNSON AS PROOFS!!!11!!1!one1! TEH FUTUREZ IS NOW!!1" type of way to sell tickets.

Your words comfort thee. I will rest in your knowledge on the matter.

Its just my opinion, but I remember Backes played until his Junior year as well. I'll be completly and 100% shocked if we don't sign both by the end of next year.

[stlmark]

I don't think its a problem at all. I think if the Blues weren't hurting for young players to get excited about then people woulden't even be hearing about this.

Maybe JD just wanted to fill roster spots w/o going to expensive free agency. He wants to sell the kids in a "WE ARE LEIK TOTALLY REBUILDING! WE NO NEED RYAN SMITH! LOOK AT TEH YOSHIE AND OUR JOHNSON AS PROOFS!!!11!!1!one1! TEH FUTUREZ IS NOW!!1" type of way to sell tickets.

Your words comfort thee. I will rest in your knowledge on the matter.

Its just my opinion, but I remember Backes played until his Junior year as well. I'll be completly and 100% shocked if we don't sign both by the end of next year.

Exactly, I'm not worried. In fact, the only feelings I have about these guys is excitement.

[ThreeAces]

EJ article on SI:

On an unseasonably warm Monday night in February, University of Minnesota hockey defenseman Erik Johnson lounges on a futon set between two lofted beds in the school's Territorial Hall. The all-freshmen dorm suits him well, as it does for more than 700 other first-year students -- quiet enough to get work done yet loud enough a good time is always a door to two away. But Johnson doesn't join those rowdy crowds often, especially on Monday nights when his favorite TV shows take up a two-hour block. "I'm a pretty low-key guy," Johnson says. "I've got a pretty upbeat personality but at the same time I'm reserved. I'm more of a watcher of things rather than being active."

To most, Johnson is a normal college student walking down Washington Avenue in Stadium Village near campus. He'll eat breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, head to class, then, if the mood strikes, he'll head back to his room to watch a movie, write a paper or take it easy. Not much more is expected from freshmen. Johnson doesn't mind. He enjoys the new-found freedoms of college life.

But on the ice, Johnson is anything but typical. At 18, he was the No. 1 pick in the NHL Entry Draft last summer, selected by the St. Louis Blues for his dominating prowess and unmatched skill on the ice. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Johnson is what scouts called a clear frontrunner in last year's draft. He can skate. He can move. He's got a booming shot. In a nutshell, he's got what it takes to be successful. "It's pretty obvious," said Jarmo Kekalainen, St. Louis' assistant GM and director of amateur scouting. "There's not a lot he doesn't have." Because of that, the Blues began knocking on Johnson's door with an offer to finish the regular season in the NHL just after the Gophers' 3-2 overtime loss in their NCAA regional matchup with North Dakota on March 25. Johnson declined, saying it was too soon after a tough loss to make the big jump.

The rest of it is here.

[stlmark]

EJ article on SI:

On an unseasonably warm Monday night in February, University of Minnesota hockey defenseman Erik Johnson lounges on a futon set between two lofted beds in the school's Territorial Hall. The all-freshmen dorm suits him well, as it does for more than 700 other first-year students -- quiet enough to get work done yet loud enough a good time is always a door to two away. But Johnson doesn't join those rowdy crowds often, especially on Monday nights when his favorite TV shows take up a two-hour block. "I'm a pretty low-key guy," Johnson says. "I've got a pretty upbeat personality but at the same time I'm reserved. I'm more of a watcher of things rather than being active."

To most, Johnson is a normal college student walking down Washington Avenue in Stadium Village near campus. He'll eat breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, head to class, then, if the mood strikes, he'll head back to his room to watch a movie, write a paper or take it easy. Not much more is expected from freshmen. Johnson doesn't mind. He enjoys the new-found freedoms of college life.

But on the ice, Johnson is anything but typical. At 18, he was the No. 1 pick in the NHL Entry Draft last summer, selected by the St. Louis Blues for his dominating prowess and unmatched skill on the ice. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Johnson is what scouts called a clear frontrunner in last year's draft. He can skate. He can move. He's got a booming shot. In a nutshell, he's got what it takes to be successful. "It's pretty obvious," said Jarmo Kekalainen, St. Louis' assistant GM and director of amateur scouting. "There's not a lot he doesn't have." Because of that, the Blues began knocking on Johnson's door with an offer to finish the regular season in the NHL just after the Gophers' 3-2 overtime loss in their NCAA regional matchup with North Dakota on March 25. Johnson declined, saying it was too soon after a tough loss to make the big jump.

The rest of it is here.

Thanks for posting that ThreeAces.

[JCShutout]

Thanks Aces...

another part of the article I liked:

Back at home on campus, Johnson's mind is far from his status as a hockey prodigy. Wearing a tight T-shirt and sweat pants, he switches his focuses to the television as a tense NHL matchup between Boston and Philadelphia gives way to Fox, where Prison Break is about to start. Shortly after the opening credits, teammate Jay Barriball comes in and takes a seat. Johnson hits the lights and shuts the door before plopping on the futon, too.

Good to see those two as buddies. For those who don't remember, traded for Jay at the deadline.

[thrill]

Thanks Aces...

another part of the article I liked:

Back at home on campus, Johnson's mind is far from his status as a hockey prodigy. Wearing a tight T-shirt and sweat pants, he switches his focuses to the television as a tense NHL matchup between Boston and Philadelphia gives way to Fox, where Prison Break is about to start. Shortly after the opening credits, teammate Jay Barriball comes in and takes a seat. Johnson hits the lights and shuts the door before plopping on the futon, too.

Good to see those two as buddies. For those who don't remember, traded for Jay at the deadline.

Wow, Blues studs and 24 fans. I like what I hear.

[cabby7588]

PD

Wearing No. 6 next season for the Blues: Defenseman Erik Johnson.
The NHL’s top overall pick from 2006 disappointed some when he decided to play one season at the University of Minnesota, and again when he chose not to join the Blues for the final seven games of the recent regular season.

But sources say that the wait is over.

Johnson, 19, has agreed to terms with the Blues and will be introduced by the team Thursday afternoon. He is expected to be with the club in training camp in September, and all plans point to him being on the opening-day roster.

"I talked to Erik today and he told us he’s not going back to the University of Minnesota and I got a big smile on my face," Blues President John Davidson said late Wednesday. "We’ll know more tomorrow."

Johnson was unavailable for comment.

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On Wednesday, Johnson and the Blues were said to be dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on a three-year entry-level contract that will pay Johnson a base salary of $765,000 and an $85,000 signing bonus. He could max out at $3.7 million in 2007-08 if he were to meet all of his incentives, which include being named MVP of the Stanley Cup finals and being named to the NHL All-Star game.

More reasonable incentives, such as ice time and point production, will likely bring him a payday close to $2 million in 2007-08.

So now the expectations for Johnson really begin. Can the 6-foot-4, 222-pound defenseman live up to them?

The coordinates for his addition to the Blues could not have been aligned more properly. The franchise was still reeling from the departure of cornerstone defenseman Chris Pronger and the team finished 2005-06 with a record of 21-46-15, missing the playoffs for the first time in 25 years.

When the team was sold in June, the first time that Blues fans were introduced to new owner Dave Checketts came when he stood on stage in Vancouver, shaking Johnson's hand as he was selected No. 1 overall by the club.

Though the Blues knew they would still be in transition entering the ‘06-07 season, many fans expected Johnson to be a part of the rebuilding process this season. At the very least, his presence would give fans hope.

But in a decision that was reached in part with the Blues’ help, Johnson announced on July 8 that he was honoring his commitment to Minnesota and would play at least his freshman season with the Gophers.

"It’s been going back and forth ... should I jump and play in St. Louis?" Johnson said at the time. "But sitting down and reflecting on what would be best, Minnesota is the best place to be. Obviously going to college, it can’t hurt anything. It can only help me before stepping in as a 19-year-old in the NHL. I just think it's going to be fun stepping in next year and having an impact ... compared to coming in this year and having growing pains."

In Johnson’s one and only season at Minnesota, which lost in the NCAA quarterfinals, he finished with four goals and 19 assists in 39 games. Some have described his year as "not characteristic" of a No. 1 overall draft pick. He was not named to any of the top three Western Collegiate Hockey Association all-conference teams, instead earning a spot on the All-Rookie team.

In December, however, the International Ice Hockey Federation named Johnson the best defenseman at the World Junior Championship in Sweden, making him only the second U.S. player in tournament history to receive the honor. Johnson finished as the top scorer for his country with four goals, six assists and 10 points in seven games. He had at least a point in his last six games.

Now Johnson is a Blue. The club will likely pencil him in among its top six defensemen heading into training camp. His addition gives the team a surplus of players on the blue line, which could set up the Blues for trade possibilities this offseason as they attempt to add offensive forwards.