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Erik Johnson News & Rumors

Duchene, O'Reilly, Johnson and O'Brien want to return to Colorado Avalanche
April 9
Denver Post
 
"Their situations aren't the same, but collectively it's unanimous. Forwards Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly and defensemen Erik Johnson and Shane O'Brien want to remain with the Avalanche. They aren't under contract with the club for the 2012-13 season, but they figure to be priorities as the Avs enter the offseason with 14 of their top 22 players unsigned. "I can't stress it enough, the fact I want to (remain with the) Avalanche," Duchene said Saturday night after the Avs' season-ending 6-1 loss to the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center. "I grew up worshiping this team, and the guys that have their banners up in the rafters, they're my heroes. My No. 1 commitment is to raise a Stanley"
Erik Johnson hit with back trouble again
March 25
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson missed his third consecutive game Saturday night and was again replaced by rookie Tyson Barrie. Johnson, who ranks second on the Avs with an average ice time of 20:44 (just two seconds behind defenseman Jan Hejda), is suffering from back spasms. Meanwhile, forward Chuck Kobasew returned from a 12-game absence and replaced Peter Mueller, who was a healthy scratch. Kobasew has been scratched the last four games after being cleared to play from a back injury. Mueller missed his team-high 48th game. Forward Kevin Porter and defenseman Stefan Elliott, both available, also didn't make the 20-man lineup."
Back spasms sideline Colorado Avalanche's Erik Johnson
March 21
Denver Post
 
"Back spasms forced Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson to sit out Tuesday night's game at the Pepsi Center against the Calgary Flames. Johnson, who has had back problems before, hopes to return to practice today. Johnson practiced Monday with no apparent problems, but his latest back issue flared up Tuesday."
Avs' Erik Johnson performs well with a bit of a mean streak
February 13
Denver Post
 columnist Mike Chambers
"Erik Johnson played like he had a score to settle with the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. The young Avalanche defenseman was chippy but did not commit a penalty, and his mean streak was pure benefit to his team. Johnson scored a power-play goal, using his big shot from the point to perfection, and did not commit a defensive-end turnover. Overall, it was the type of game the Avs expect Johnson to have regularly — and what the Blues expected from him when they took him with the first pick in the 2006 draft. The Avs believe Johnson, 23, will fulfill his lofty long-term potential if he continues to play with a mean streak and keep his body in continuous motion during shifts."
Avalanche's Peter Mueller, Erik Johnson teammates as peewees too
February 2
Denver Post
 
"When Peter Mueller scored the first of his two goals Jan. 18 against Florida — his first goals since April 2010 — the moment awakened significant childhood memories for him and Avalanche teammate Erik Johnson. Johnson, a defenseman, assisted on the goal that completed Mueller's 18-month battle with concussionlike symptoms to get back on NHL ice. And it made them feel like they were preteens back in Bloomington, Minn., where they grew up as two of the best players to play for the tradition-rich Bloomington Jefferson Hockey Club. "It's almost like a weird dream, that you're actually playing together right now after knowing each other from such a young age," said Mueller, a forward."
Avs' Johnson, O'Brien miss practice
January 10
Denver Post
 
"Avalanche defensemen Erik Johnson? and Shane O'Brien missed practice today because of injuries and O'Brien will be unavailable for at least the next two games. Both went down in Saturday's 4-0 loss at St. Louis. Johnson injured a hand and is "day-to-day," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. O'Brien has a knee injury and will not play in this week's home-and-away stretch against Nashville, Sacco said. Colorado hosts the Predators on Tuesday and visits Nashville on Thursday to begin a three-game road trip."
Erik Johnson shelved by hand injury
January 8
Denver Post
 
"On a night that couldn't have been much worse on the ice, the Avalanche also got a bad result from the medical room. Defenseman Erik Johnson suffered a hand injury in the first period and didn't return. The Avs said there was a chance he might return after it happened and was in the dressing room getting treatment, but that didn't happen. Johnson had just come off one of his better games as an Av, with two assists and a plus-3. While the Avs don't believe the injury to be serious, Johnson's status will be updated today."
Avs' Johnson has to provide more production
December 13
Denver Post
 
"Erik Johnson stayed after practice for about 40 minutes Monday, spending the last few playing a game of "flip a puck into a small bucket" with Avalanche teammates Ryan O'Reilly, Brad Malone and Stefan Elliott. When the final puck found its way into the white bucket, Johnson threw his arms in the air and balanced on one leg. Now, if that could just happen in a real game. "I know I'm counted on to produce offense, to produce on the power play. I've never really been in kind of an offensive rut like this in my career," said the Avs defenseman, the team's key acquisition in a blockbuster trade with St. Louis last season. "I've just got to do a little bit better job of maybe jumping into the"
Avs should name defenseman Erik Johnson their captain
September 25
Denver Post
 columnist Mark Kiszla
"After the bumpy ride on the bad ice of the worst season in Av- alanche history, a battered NHL franchise needs a strong leader to get it out of this mess. The Avs cry out for bold action. Where to start? Name defenseman Erik Johnson? the captain. One of the awesome aspects of hockey is the "C" will never get hung on a sweater like an ornament. It actually means something to be an NHL captain. "You're the voice," Avalanche front-office adviser Joe Sakic said Friday night, when Colorado dropped a 3-2 decision to St. Louis in a preseason game. "You need a lot of leaders, but a hockey team needs a voice, not only in the community, but more importantly between the coaching staff and the"
Erik Johnson changes workouts in expectation of big season
August 3
Denver Post
 
"Erik Johnson has a message for the Washington Capitals and their fans who seemed a little too gleeful at getting the Avalanche's first-round draft pick next year as part of a recent trade for goalie Semyon Varlamov: "It's not going to be a (high) pick. It's going to end up being a great trade for us. People are saying we got the short end of the trade and they're happy because they think we're going to finish at the bottom of the league — and we're not going to do that this year," Johnson said. Before leaving town late Monday for his native Minnesota to gather possessions for a permanent move to his newly purchased home in Denver, the Avs defenseman took some time to declare his optimism"
Bruce Johnson getting a second chance
March 13
Denver Post
 columnist Bill Johnson
"In the Twin Cities suburbs, Bruce Johnson took his young son, Erik, to a nearby apartment complex with an indoor rink. It was a test to see how Erik would take to both skating and hockey, and he instantly showed passion for the game and a "Natural's" precociousness. The Johnsons' Bloomington, Minn., neighbors had a makeshift backyard rink, and as Erik took up the game and participated in youth programs in one of the sport's longtime U.S. hotbeds, Erik wondered if his family might be able to do the same thing. When it was cold enough, Bruce Johnson went outside late at night, flooding the backyard in anticipation of a morning skate. "I spent a lot of time out there after dinner and"
Peter Stastny rips Avalanche after deal with Blues
February 23
TSN.ca
 
"Early Saturday morning, the Colorado Avalanche completed a trade that sent forward Chris Stewart, defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk and a second round draft pick to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for defenceman Erik Johnson, forward Jay McClement and a first round pick. While the Avalanche are pleased with the return they received in the deal, one former member of the organization does not share those feelings. NHL Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, who played the first ten years of his career with the Quebec Nordiques and is also the father of current Avalanche forward Paul Stastny, had some harsh words for the new direction of the Colorado organization."
Johnson gets quick revenge on Blues
February 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"His nickname among teammates is "Edge." And judging by his words Tuesday, it sounds like he's ready to play with an edge. Three days after the Blues sent Erik Johnson packing for the Colorado mountains, the defenseman returned to Scottrade Center for the first time as a member of the opposition. Now wearing No. 6 for the Avalanche, he made clear what his intentions are. "I want to make them regret trading Erik Johnson," he said. "There's no doubt about that, and I say that with the utmost respect in the world for them. I respect (general manager) Doug Armstrong, I respect (president) John Davidson ... everybody I met here in this city. At the end of the day, I want them to be kicking"
Inconsistency made Erik Johnson expendable
February 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"When David Perron arrived on the Blues' campus, the team tossed him jersey No. 57. Upon T.J. Oshie's arrival, he received No. 74. Patrik Berglund got No. 58. Translating the numerals, they stand for, "Show us what you've got and we'll show you a number with a little more prestige." For Erik Johnson, it was a tad different. Not that the defenseman didn't have to prove himself to the Blues, but as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft, it was a matter of when Johnson would wow fans, not if. After one season at the University of Minnesota, "E.J." strutted into St. Louis with unlimited potential and considerable fanfare, and waiting in his locker stall was a so-called symbol of"
Blues deal Erik Johnson to Avs in blockbuster trade
February 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Upon touching down in St. Louis early Saturday morning after a 3-0 win over Buffalo, the Blues parted ways with a big piece of their rebuilding project. Erik Johnson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft and the projected face of the franchise for years to come, has been sent to the Colorado Avalanche. The Blues dealt Johnson and Jay McClement to the Avalanche for forward Chris Stewart and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who are both former first-round picks. In the deal, the Blues will also receive a conditional second-round pick in 2011 or 2012 and the Avs will get a conditional first-round pick in '11 or '12. If the Blues finish among the bottom 10 NHL teams this season, they have"
Minus 3 teeth, Johnson expected to play Friday
February 3
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues defenseman Erik Johnson was absent at practice for the second straight day today, but the club does expect him to be in the lineup Friday. Johnson lost three teeth in Monday's practice, when a deflected puck hit him in the mouth. He planned to play in Tuesday's game against Colorado, postponing his surgery. But when Tuesday's game was postponed, the defenseman underwent the necessary dental work Wednesday. The Blues are allowing Johnson to rest following the surgery, but according to Blues coach Davis Payne, he will be available Friday night when the team faces the Edmonton Oilers."
Erik Johnson loses teeth in practice
February 1
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues defenseman Erik Johnson was hit in the face by a puck in practice on Monday. He was in front of the net on a power-play drill when a deflection got him in the mouth. Johnson quickly exited the ice with trainer Ray Barile. It happened toward the end of practice and Johnson didn't return. There's no word yet on his status for Tuesday's game. "He took a puck in the mouth and lost some teeth, so we've got to make sure that everything is OK," Blues coach Davis Payne said. "We'll have an update later tomorrow afternoon." It was quite a scene after the incident, as teammates gathered around the area where Johnson was hit and searched for his missing teeth. They seemed to find at least one"
Blues' Johnson back after missing just one game
December 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues defenseman Erik Johnson not only returned to the lineup Saturday, he played a team-high 26 minutes, 50 seconds in a 4-1 loss to San Jose. Johnson suffered a sprained right knee in Wednesday's game in Detroit when he collided with the Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk. It was the same knee that required surgery on a torn ligament two years ago, forcing him to miss the entire 2008-09 season. "A big relief," said Johnson, who missed just one game this time. "When it happened, I wasn't exactly sure what the extent of it was. All I know is it didn't feel very good at the time. Any time you're dealing with something you've had major surgery on before, you've got to be careful. I'm pretty fortunate"
Knee injury sidelines Blues' Johnson
December 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"A knee injury suffered by Erik Johnson is expected to keep the Blues defenseman out of tonight's game against Los Angeles, but club officials were reluctant Wednesday night to look past the next 24 hours. Johnson left the team's game Wednesday seven minutes into the first period, after he was tangled up with Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk in the neutral zone. Johnson got up slowly, headed to the dressing room and didn't return. It appeared that he was favoring his right knee, which is the one he had surgery on two years ago to repair a torn ligament and caused him to miss the entire 2008-09 season. But there were hints of relief that it might not be a re-aggravation of Johnson's prior injury. "I"
Johnson's talent on display
October 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Growing up an NHL defenseman is not the easiest thing to do in a fast, physical game. It has been an especially challenging process for Erik Johnson, the Blues talented, young blueliner. He has carried the extra weight of being the No.1 pick overall in the 2006 NHL amateur draft. He has dealt with a demoralizing freak injury that robbed him of an entire year of maturation. But Johnson is growing up, filling out his NHL jersey, establishing his NHL game moments at a time. Every once in a while, along the way, he treats observers to a spectacular snapshot, a taste of the talent that made him a sought-after commodity. One of those reaffirming moments came Saturday night, as Johnson scored an"
Erik Johnson, Blues reach contract extension
August 2
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues defenseman Erik Johnson has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the club. The deal is worth $5.2 million; the team's salary-cap hit will be $2.6 million for the next two seasons. An announcement on Johnson's extension could be made by the club later today. Johnson, 22, had been a restricted free agent who was not allowed to receive offer sheets because he missed the entire 2008-09 season with a knee injury. "I just told my agent I wanted to get it done," Johnson said. "We were mulling over some offers for a while, but thus is what we wanted to do. I'm really grateful that the Blues have invested this in me. "I know myself, and all the young guys included, plan on really"
No progress on Johnson contract extension
June 26
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Pat Brisson , the agent for Blues defensemen Erik Johnson , said today that there have been few talks regarding a contract extension for the former No. 1 overall pick. Johnson will technically become a restricted free agent Thursday, the start of NHL free agency, but because he missed the 2008-09 season with a knee injury, he won't be eligible to receive offer sheets from other teams. Johnson has 15 goals and 57 assists in 148 games with the Blues, including a 10-goal year this season. But the season Johnson missed with the knee injury could be part of the reason talks between the two sides have been slow. Most NHL club have three years to evaluate a player who is coming out of his"
Blues' Erik Johnson hitting his stride as season ends
April 7
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"When the Blues meet the Blackhawks at Chicago tonight, postseason talk will be irrelevant. A Colorado win late Tuesday night eliminated the Blues from this year's playoff picture, which is a shame on a number of levels, not the least of which concerns Erik Johnson. As the end of the season draws near, as Johnson brings to a close his delayed second NHL season, he appears to be hitting his stride. More evidence was visible in Monday's 2-1 overtime victory over Columbus. Johnson's 10th goal of the season was the game winner. The laser that beat Mathieu Garon was Johnson's sixth shot of the evening. Two games earlier, he played more than 27 minutes and had three shots against Nashville. In a"
Erik Johnson takes aim at shooting accuracy
March 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"On Saturday morning at the Prudential Center, Blues defenseman Erik Johnson took batting practice. He was teeing up shot after shot andOn Saturday morning at the Prudential Center, Blues defenseman Erik Johnson took batting practice. He was teeing up shot after shot and blasting away. Unlike a home run hitter, though, Johnson has a target he needs to hit. "One thing I'm trying to do more is shoot, but the biggest thing is, you have to hit the net," Johnson said before the Blues faced the New Jersey Devils. "Otherwise, it's not going to go in, or you're not going to get any scoring chances.""
Johnson hopes good times continue in game against Canada
February 21
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"Erik Johnson's awkward encounter with a Swiss forward in the first period of the opening game for the United States team in the Olympics Tuesday caused Blues fans to let out a collective gasp. The fear of losing the future of the franchise to another serious knee injury appeared very real. "'For a moment there, it just kind of scared me," admitted Johnson, who reached for a puck in the air and was slammed into, causing the two players to fall resulting in a blow to his surgically-reconstructed knee that he compared to a chop block in football. As he skated back to the bench, he saw the doctor who performed the major surgery on the knee two summers ago. The doctor told Johnson it was just a"
Blues' Johnson sits out game against Predators
December 30
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Come Saturday, the U.S. Olympic hockey team roster will be announced and most experts project Erik Johnson will be in that lineup. However, Johnson was not in the lineup Tuesday night when the Blues faced the Nashville Predators at Scottrade Center. Coming back from a season lost to a freak injury, Johnson has four goals and 21 points for the Blues, which ranks him fourth on the team is scoring. But Johnson has not scored in his last eight starts, during which time he registered a minus-3. The coaching staff became concerned enough about the caliber of recent performances that Blues coach Andy Murray made the highly regarded Johnson - No. 1 pick overall in the 2006 draft - a healthy"
Blues defenceman red-hot
December 12
Edmonton Journal
 
"There's no missing the impact Erik Johnson has had with the St. Louis Blues this season. He leads the team in points, is a plus player and has played all 30 games. He is really making up for lost time. The defenceman missed last season after he blew out his right knee while on a golf cart on Sept. 16, 2008. Surgery followed, as did a long rehab. "It was pretty embarrassing," Johnson, 21, said on Friday. "I've played hockey my whole life and never had a serious injury." Presumably, he could have walked if he had a hankering to golf this past off-season. Instead, the golf clubs remained in storage. "This summer I thought, 'You know what? I'm just going to train and play hockey.' I figured my"