The blues aren't any closer to winning then Colorado is.
- Drij

Xanax, Drijj. We'll all be happier that way.

The blues aren't any closer to winning then Colorado is.
- Drij

I think Avs fans might be a bit delusional on just how much work their defense needs. As in, you need a #1 defensemen still. Pretty much the hardest thing to acquire in the league.

I think Avs fans might be a bit delusional on just how much work their defense needs. As in, you need a #1 defensemen still. Pretty much the hardest thing to acquire in the league.
- Antilles

bad defence yes, but I think Johnson is a pretty solid number 1. at the very least a great 2.
they don't have a franchise stud if that's what u mean; but many successful teams have tried to go with depth cause they don't have chara or weber.

Johnson is a decent building block imo.

barrie is silky smooth too. I think he's gonna be the real deal.

I think Avs fans might be a bit delusional on just how much work their defense needs. As in, you need a #1 defensemen still. Pretty much the hardest thing to acquire in the league.
- Antilles

For the most part we're pretty pragmatic. Most of us know we need a 2LD to play with Johnson and probably another veteran dman. Drijj is not saying the Avs are close but rather that neither team is any good. He's guy who needs pep pills or the biggest bag of weed.

bad defence yes, but I think Johnson is a pretty solid number 1. at the very least a great 2.
they don't have a franchise stud if that's what u mean; but many successful teams have tried to go with depth cause they don't have a chara.
Johnson is a decent building block imo.

barrie is silky smooth too. I think he's gonna be the real deal.
- hugefemale dog77

Barrie really impressed this year. Avs season was over when Cooke took him out.

For the most part we're pretty pragmatic. Most of us know we need a 2LD to play with Johnson and probably another veteran dman. Drijj is not saying the Avs are close but rather that neither team is any good. He's guy who needs pep pills or the biggest bag of weed.
- martok2309

And conveniently our biggest need for Dmen, Bigras and Siemens are our best D Prospects and are LHS, its almost like they knew what they were doing when they drafted some of these guys.

So if one of them can take the jump in a season or 2, just need to fill that hole with a UFA to pair with Johnson now, then Hejdas spot will be open since his contract will be up.

And conveniently our biggest need for Dmen, Bigras and Siemens are our best D Prospects and are LHS, its almost like they knew what they were doing when they drafted some of these guys.

So if one of them can take the jump in a season or 2, just need to fill that hole with a UFA to pair with Johnson now, then Hejdas spot will be open since his contract will be up.
- DDM-Coga

Stability at the top would make it easier on Bigras and Siemens coming up.

Stability at the top would make it easier on Bigras and Siemens coming up.
- martok2309

the LHS UFA dmen list is very very thin, Markov probably being the best, Nikitin and Orpik being the other bigger names. So I can see a trade more likely happening with PAP to bring in that LHS instead.

the LHS UFA dmen list is very very thin, Markov probably being the best, Nikitin and Orpik being the other bigger names. So I can see a trade more likely happening with PAP to bring in that LHS instead.
- DDM-Coga

I'm fully aware to get it means trade. You can rarely find that on the open market

I'm fully aware to get it means trade. You can rarely find that on the open market
- martok2309

with Corbett of the Oil Kings looking like a nice undrafted signee, I think that could make Elliott expendable. Do the Avs revisit the Kulikov trade since they wanted Elliott in the deal?

PAP and Elliott could land you a top 4 dman in a trade at the draft.

I really hope the Blues get Stastny. Would be a great addition. Come home Paul.

the LHS UFA dmen list is very very thin, Markov probably being the best, Nikitin and Orpik being the other bigger names. So I can see a trade more likely happening with PAP to bring in that LHS instead.
- DDM-Coga

I think Nikitin could be a smart pickup, think there would be a smaller chance of regret if we signed him over someone like Niskanan.

The blues aren't any closer to winning then Colorado is.
- Drij

Yes they are

bad defence yes, but I think Johnson is a pretty solid number 1. at the very least a great 2.
- hugefemale dog77

If Johnson is your #1 or #2, that means you have no #1 or #2. He is a solid #3/#4 and may never be anything more at his age. The fact that COL uses him as their #1 is proof-positive of how much work they need to do on 'D'.

If Johnson is your #1 or #2, that means you have no #1 or #2. He is a solid #3/#4 and may never be anything more at his age. The fact that COL uses him as their #1 is proof-positive of how much work they need to do on 'D'.
- bluenatic411

I disagree, he is a good number 2 Dman, I know Avs and Blues fan bases will never agree on this, but he had a solid season, and it carried over from a solid last half of the lock out season. He really he settled into his own.

Hes a complimentry Dman, He might not lead the pairing, but he will sure make it a solid unit. His game really settled down as soon as Barrie emerged as the Offensive force for the Avs. Johnson just simplified his game, wasnt trying so hard to produce offense, and he become a realiable shut down Dman last season.

I think Nikitin could be a smart pickup, think there would be a smaller chance of regret if we signed him over someone like Niskanan.
- Avs-Ice

It all depends on if Nisk can play the Left Hand Side, hes a right and wont be taking EJ's or Barrie's spot on the Top 4 Pairings

I disagree, he is a good number 2 Dman, I know Avs and Blues fan bases will never agree on this, but he had a solid season, and it carried over from a solid last half of the lock out season. He really he settled into his own.

Hes a complimentry Dman, He might not lead the pairing, but he will sure make it a solid unit. His game really settled down as soon as Barrie emerged as the Offensive force for the Avs. Johnson just simplified his game, wasnt trying so hard to produce offense, and he become a realiable shut down Dman last season.
- DDM-Coga

I tend to agree with you. I was more impressed with him than I expected to be. He's settled in nicely there.

I'm glad he's no longer a Blue. He would never live down being a first overall bust here. But he's in a good place in Colo.

I tend to agree with you. I was more impressed with him than I expected to be. He's settled in nicely there.

I'm glad he's no longer a Blue. He would never live down being a first overall bust here. But he's in a good place in Colo.
- bcallaway

He wont be "The Next Pronger" as he was tagged to be, and will never live up to his draft stock. Probably wont even live up to it if he was a Top 5-10 pick that year. (Next Dman picked that year in 2006 was Wishart at 16, so still the best Dman in that first round).

Avs are happy to have him, hes not your ideal top pairing guy but he is still a legit Number 2. Had lots of 2nd Pairing guys with Shattenkirk, Liles, Barrie, and Elliott all at the same time. Needed to try and bring in a guy like EJ on a gamble, seems to paying off now.

I really hope the Blues get Stastny. Would be a great addition. Come home Paul.
- carcus

I really do see Stastny on the Blues if he cant get a deal hammered out with the Avs. You have the cap space and need for him long term.

If you guys want to send us Leopold for Cap releif and to obtain his rights before UFA, I will be ok with that (probably will just be a 4th round pick, but a guy can dream)

If Johnson is your #1 or #2, that means you have no #1 or #2. He is a solid #3/#4 and may never be anything more at his age. The fact that COL uses him as their #1 is proof-positive of how much work they need to do on 'D'.
- bluenatic411

disagree.

I believe you're thinking of the Johnson that played on the blues, not the the 2013-2014 ej.
hell, even the season before.

Johnson aint gonna be the franchise stud he was projected to be (I thought he was cant miss) but he's solid at both ends, still has that fantastic skating, and has quelled many of his mistakes with the simple play nowadays.

hes unequivocally a top pairing guy

Yes they are
- Ihatebrianburke

Sharks 2.0

Sharks 2.0
- Drij

Now im imploring you. Xanax is your friend (hopefully not your only friend though I fear it would be)

"Fixing the Blues holes at Center"??

How about Carl Soderberg and Lars Eller?

If Johnson is your #1 or #2, that means you have no #1 or #2. He is a solid #3/#4 and may never be anything more at his age. The fact that COL uses him as their #1 is proof-positive of how much work they need to do on 'D'.
- bluenatic411

That is garbage.

You are obviously basing your ridiculous opinion on EJ with his time with the Blues when EJ was 18 to 23 years old. Because if you have watched EJ play the last 2 seasons...you would see a much different hockey player at the age of 26.

As I have stated many times over the past 5 years here...Defensemen usually take much longer to develop in the National Hockey League.

Case in point...Al MacInnis. Chopper wasn't great until his early 30s.

"Fixing the Blues holes at Center"??

How about Carl Soderberg and Lars Eller?
- Trust In Jarmo

No thanks.