Eric Johnson

DPA MacManus · Post by **DPA MacManus** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:56 am

Word on KFAN today is EJ is leaving the U and signing with the Blues.

DannyCalifornia · Post by **DannyCalifornia** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:25 pm

here's the story:

Bob McKenzie

4/18/2007 9:31:46 PM

The St. Louis Blues have signed No. 1 overall pick Erik Johnson to a contract and the University of Minnesota freshman will begin his pro career in the fall.

In the meantime, he has been invited to join Team USA at the World Championship in Moscow.

Johnson was drafted first overall by the Blues in the 2006 Entry Draft.

This season, Johnson scored four goals and added 19 assists in 39 games as a freshman with the Golden Gophers.

In two seasons with the United States National Team, the Minnesota native collected 22 goals and 59 points.

Johnson was dominant at the 2007 World Junior Hockey Championship, scoring 10 points in seven games and being named the tournament's best defenceman.

Johnny_Murphy · Post by **Johnny_Murphy** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:26 pm

Hey DPA MacManus, I believe his name is spelled Erik, not Eric.

MNRinkRat · Post by **MNRinkRat** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:41 pm

That sucks for the Gophers. I was really hoping we could keep Johnson and Okposo.

formerallstar · Post by **formerallstar** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:15 am

Good cuz he was

OVERRATED

futureeagle · Post by **futureeagle** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:46 pm

is okoposo leaving to and if so can anyone tell me who were the first 10 draft choices just wondering and who drafted them

wildhckyfan14 · Post by **wildhckyfan14** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:03 pm

1. ERIK JOHNSON - St. Louis Blues
2. JORDAN STAAL _ Pittsburgh Penguins
3. JONATHAN TOEWS - Chicago Blackhawks
4. NICKLAS BACKSTROM - Washington Capitals
5. PHIL KESSEL - Boston Bruins
6. DERICK BRASSARD - Columbus Blue Jackets
7. KYLE OKPOSO - New York Islanders
8. PETER MUELLER - Phoenix Coyotes
9. JAMES SHEPPARD - Minnesota Wild
10. MICHAEL FROLIK - Florida Panthers

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:42 pm

futureeagle wrote:is okoposo leaving to and if so can anyone tell me who were the first 10 draft choices just wondering and who drafted them

He's most likely gone.

d1wannabe · Post by **d1wannabe** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:16 pm

I would put money on Okposo staying. I think it would b beneficial for him to stay too. does anyone know if there is a certain time he has to decide by?

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:22 pm

d1wannabe wrote:I would put money on Okposo staying. I think it would b beneficial for him to stay too. does anyone know if there is a certain time he has to decide by?

June 1st is the deadline that Lucia wanted his players to abide by, but in reality he has until the end of August to decide, but I would imagine his decision would come soon. You wanna put that money into a bet?

GophyFan18 · Post by **GophyFan18** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 12:03 am

formerallstar wrote:Good cuz he was

OVERRATED

Yeah, that's why the Blues wanted to sign him up right away, and that's why he was honored as the best defensemen at the world juniors etc etc. Being overrated gets you the #1 pick in the draft doesn't it.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:57 pm

It gets you a lot of jealous people.

MNHockey75 · Post by **MNHockey75** » Thu May 03, 2007 5:29 pm

formerallstar wrote:Good cuz he was

OVERRATED

He was the BY FAR the best defenseman in the nation as a Freshman. A D-man can't win a national championship by himself. You look back when they had Leopold, Ballard and Martin. Theres only 3 guys who were really good, not just 2 (Goligoski to go along with Erik).

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Fri May 04, 2007 10:01 pm

MNHockey75 wrote:
formerallstar wrote:Good cuz he was

OVERRATED
He was the BY FAR the best defenseman in the nation as a Freshman. A D-man can't win a national championship by himself. You look back when they had Leopold, Ballard and Martin. Theres only 3 guys who were really good, not just 2 (Goligoski to go along with Erik).

By far the best defenseman in the nation? He wasn't even the best defenseman on his team and not even top 5 in the WCHA. He has loads of potential and had streaks of dominance this year, but he took his lumps and was by no means an All-American. To say he was by far the best D-man in the nation is just ridiculous.

casualfan · Post by **casualfan** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:28 am

I agree we will see how many of his cough ups in own zone lead to the puck being buried in NHL

sachishi4 · Post by **sachishi4** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:04 am

MNHockey75 wrote:
formerallstar wrote:Good cuz he was

OVERRATED
He was the BY FAR the best defenseman in the nation as a Freshman. A D-man can't win a national championship by himself. You look back when they had Leopold, Ballard and Martin. Theres only 3 guys who were really good, not just 2 (Goligoski to go along with Erik).

the best defensemen wouldnt take 20 slap shots from the point when the first 19 didnt work. He needs to adjust better to other defenses. He turns the puck over WAY too much. Plus he said he didn't really care about this year. Team cancer? He needs a better TEAM attitude. Maybe they will give him that in the pros, but based on his performance here, he didnt look like the clear cut #1 everyone thought he was.

TheShow · Post by **TheShow** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:05 pm

Damn, he said he was going to stay another year with Okposo. But I guess the Blues suck too bad and need him.

breakout · Post by **breakout** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:42 pm

Blue Breeze wrote:
MNHockey75 wrote:
formerallstar wrote:Good cuz he was

OVERRATED
He was the BY FAR the best defenseman in the nation as a Freshman. A D-man can't win a national championship by himself. You look back when they had Leopold, Ballard and Martin. Theres only 3 guys who were really good, not just 2 (Goligoski to go along with Erik).
By far the best defenseman in the nation? He wasn't even the best defenseman on his team and not even top 5 in the WCHA. He has loads of potential and had streaks of dominance this year, but he took his lumps and was by no means an All-American. To say he was by far the best D-man in the nation is just ridiculous.

I think you are dead on Blue Breeze with your observation of EJ.

That being noted, he has a lot of upside. If he stays healthy, he will be a good to great NHLr............time will tell.