2007-2008 Blues Draft and Off-Season thread

[thrill]

BOOM BABY

[stlmark]

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.

Oh Hell Yea! I'm looking forward to him getting some of them incentives when he wins the MVP for the 2007-2008 Finals.

[robbotis]

Johnson is going to be the man.
He wasn't getting the most PT or the star at MN this year.
But when he was out there you could just tell he will be awesome.

[ToughGuy_BlueShirt]

Can't believe I haven't seen this here. Erik Johnson decided that he will come to the Blues next year. Now I wish my boy Oshie would of came, but I'm still pumped for EJ.


Linking It!


Johnson going pro has many upsides for him and the Blues
By Jeff Gordon
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/19/2007
Jeff Gordon
Columnist Jeff Gordon
(E-mail a "Letter to Gordo")

The Blues are thrilled to get defenseman Erik Johnson under contract.

The first overall pick of the 2006 draft can get right to work. He is expected to play for coach Andy Murray and Team USA in the World Championships this spring in Moscow – an opportunity to face mature, world-class competition and begin his transition to the faster and more physical pro game.

He can also start work on an off-season conditioning program designed by the Blues. If the Note enters a team in the prospects tourney this summer, Johnson can play in event before joining the Blues for training camp.

Some scouts suggest Johnson is further along than Chris Pronger was at the same age. That is high praise, for sure, but his development could stall if the Blues don’t bring him along at the proper pace.

But Johnson doesn’t have to worry about that. The organization will challenge him without overexposing him. You can trust this regime to handle him properly.

Murray doesn’t give young players too much too soon. He prefers a more deliberate approach, one embraced by Blues president John Davidson and general manager Larry Pleau.

They understand that the leap from junior or collegiate hockey to the pros can be treacherous. Johnson understands that, too.

“Here it's school and hockey. That's it,” Johnson told SI.com during an interview at Minnesota earlier this month. “In the NHL you have to deal with endorsements and stuff like that. In a way it's more difficult because there's a bigger spotlight on you.”

Johnson had nothing left to gain by remaining in college. During his one season at the University of Minnesota, he scored four goals and earned 19 assists in 39 games.

Playing for the Gophers allowed him to mature physically and worked on both his skills and conditioning. But now he needs to face better competition.

At the 2007 World Junior Hockey Championship, he scored 10 points in seven games and was named the tournament's best defenseman. Playing against top prospects his own age, Johnson dominated in his own zone.

Now he must prove he can play against men. Staying in college would have been too easy for him.

Forward T.J. Oshie, by contrast, could use another year of college hockey to get stronger and improve his overall skating. He still looks like a kid out there. Johnson looks like a man.

Johnson joins a Blues team that already has impressive depth. Eric Brewer has become the cornerstone of the unit. Barret Jackman, Christian Backman and Jay McKee (when healthy) round out a solid top four.

Then the team has veteran Bryce Salvador, tough guy Matt Walker and prospects Roman Polak and Jeff Woywitka. Sturdy Scott Jackson (second-round pick, 2005) will turn pro after a strong showing in the Western Hockey League this season and he figures to become one of the team leaders at Peoria.

That is an outstanding group of defensemen. This unit features a nice mix of battle-tested veterans, younger veterans and promising kids.

Johnson’s signing allows the Blues to:

• Focus on forwards when the free-agent marketplace opens up later this spring. The Blues are set in goal (with Manny Legace extending his deal) and along the blue line.

• Allow the Blues to entertain another defenseman-for-a-forward trade, like the deal that sent Dennis Wideman to the Bruins for useful Brad Boyes. The Blues will have a surplus on the blue line, something they cannot afford to maintain.

Team president John Davidson will eventually want to allocate that money for additional help up front.

• Add a right-handed shooter to the defensive corps. He could help the Blues right away – especially on the power play, where they were weak on both points last season. The only right-handed shooter in the Blues’ top seven last season was Walker.

So this is a good day for the Blues. This franchise has mishandled some top young players in the past, but Johnson’s arrival – and development – will signal a new era.

[Blitzer]

Cant wait to see EJ wearing a Blue Note! I wish Oshie would have sign too tho.

I really like the direction the organizatizion is heading, I just think its gonna be VERY difficult for fans to start coming back. Who knows, winning always changes everything.


Blitzer

[JohnnyJay]

Fantastic news indeed!

[stlmark]

Ok, who went out and got a #6 Blues jersey?

It looks like the Blues may trade either Backman or Jackman for another scoring forward. I hope it's Backman. I really like Jackman's game.

[JohnnyJay]

Ok, who went out and got a #6 Blues jersey?

It looks like the Blues may trade either Backman or Jackman for another scoring forward. I hope it's Backman. I really like Jackman's game.

It better be Backman!

[stlmark]

Ok, who went out and got a #6 Blues jersey?

It looks like the Blues may trade either Backman or Jackman for another scoring forward. I hope it's Backman. I really like Jackman's game.

It better be Backman!

For a supposed scoring d-man Backman had less points then Jackman.

[JCShutout]

Ok, who went out and got a #6 Blues jersey?

It looks like the Blues may trade either Backman or Jackman for another scoring forward. I hope it's Backman. I really like Jackman's game.

It better be Backman!

For a supposed scoring d-man Backman had less points then Jackman.

I like both Backs and Jax, but Jackman changed his game with the new rules and is one of the best positioning dmen in the conference. Backman stayed slow.