Pitkanen yeah,good memory...............he was very good in his draft year.I agree also....................playing with J.J won't hurt him,it'll make him look real good.i'm sure he's good on his own right but i would suspect from what i've heard of J.J's game..........................he'll benefit a heck of a lot playing with him.I ecpext J.J to be their top defensman not E.J.We'll see though.X-SHARKIE said:
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Hunter Gathers
The Crown
Nash said:
EJ is DEFINATELY better than Barker and will be better than JJ.
He's probably top 5 in the WJCs in terms of defensemen.
How many guys do you see coming around with EJ's size, toughness and skill package? He is a rare commodity in any draft.
To me, EJ is the real deal and underhyped for whatever reason. Maybe because the NTDP plays four lines of D through-out the year he doesn't get the extra exposure.
Also, I wouldn't overstate what JJ can do for EJ. Walt Kyle wouldn't put EJ on the top line if he didn't think he deserved it. EJ is very offensively gifted, especially for his size and age, not just a big, tough guy.
We'll see how he plays over this tourney, but I wouldn't be surprised if he exceeds expectations.
To me, EJ is the real deal and underhyped for whatever reason. Maybe because the NTDP plays four lines of D through-out the year he doesn't get the extra exposure.
Also, I wouldn't overstate what JJ can do for EJ. Walt Kyle wouldn't put EJ on the top line if he didn't think he deserved it. EJ is very offensively gifted, especially for his size and age, not just a big, tough guy.
We'll see how he plays over this tourney, but I wouldn't be surprised if he exceeds expectations.
Just to continue this...Erik Johnson had an outstanding game today. Of course, most of the US team looked good while pasting the Norweigans, but EJ stood out more than any other Team US defender. I'd get into more detail, but it's 1:40 am.
Both Johnson's played very well.
Both Johnson's played very well.
I'll take that into consideration.First game though and against.......................well i don't wanna say anything,i might get their names wrong!!Matt MacInnis said:
Yeah, first game and against non-competition.
I don't think EJ will be #1 D in the tourney. But I think what may happen is that rather than Toews closing the gap on Kessel as some speculate, EJ may make a solid case for himself at #2.
I've only seen him play a few times, but I really like what I've seen. I don't think he's a developmental year behind JJ. But that's tough to compare because JJ brings some intangibles such as hockey sense that can't really be measured in terms of years of experience.
I don't think EJ will be #1 D in the tourney. But I think what may happen is that rather than Toews closing the gap on Kessel as some speculate, EJ may make a solid case for himself at #2.
I've only seen him play a few times, but I really like what I've seen. I don't think he's a developmental year behind JJ. But that's tough to compare because JJ brings some intangibles such as hockey sense that can't really be measured in terms of years of experience.
Number two? can he pull it off?Matt MacInnis said:
what did you see in that game that makes you think that? Is he that impressive?
Better yet (and i know it's Norway) but where could a team exploit this American squad from what you saw? ?Goaltending?.............................that would be nice.Still not easy with a dominant team but if a dominant team is gonna have a weakness................it might as well be between the pipes!!
I was at the game last night, and although practically every player on the US squad looked half decent against Norway, I personally thought Erik was the better of the two Johnon's.
Erik was able to carry the puck smoothly up ice, with control, and poise, while Jack tried to do the same but was unsuccessful on many chances.
The only step up Jack had on Erik, IMO, was his overall ability to lay down a thunderous hit, though he might have gone looking a few too many times, something that could burn him against the likes of Andrew Cogliano, or a Lauri Tukonen at this tournament.
Erik was able to carry the puck smoothly up ice, with control, and poise, while Jack tried to do the same but was unsuccessful on many chances.
The only step up Jack had on Erik, IMO, was his overall ability to lay down a thunderous hit, though he might have gone looking a few too many times, something that could burn him against the likes of Andrew Cogliano, or a Lauri Tukonen at this tournament.
X-SHARKIE
Registered User
Well, you'll never know if you listen to the games. Both Johnson's were on the ice during PP's & the radio guy never identified which 1 passed or shot...Very confusing. 
After watching the game on CI's tape delay, Erik's play was about equal to Jack's. Jack had trouble holding the puck at the point on the power play on two occasions, but that happens. Erik had one end-to-end rush to set up a goal that got Pierre McGuire all weepy. Both looked quite strong against a badly mismatched Norway team. It should be a treat to see them play against a more evenly matched opponent.
X-SHARKIE
Registered User
Eric didn't show me any of this end to end stuff in Wisconsin 
it's great to see though.
His outlet game is still average, but he has very good puck protection and is very sturdy on his feet.
His puck puck protection is also superb.
I like the offensive game, I've already seen enough to say he'll be a physical defensive defenseman but the offensive game is also quite good.
#3 pick looks within definite reach....although i'll waite and see before I put him ahead of some others, because it was just against Norway.
I'm glad I stood by Kessel in the midst of all this Toews hype.... Wow.
it's great to see though.His outlet game is still average, but he has very good puck protection and is very sturdy on his feet.
His puck puck protection is also superb.
I like the offensive game, I've already seen enough to say he'll be a physical defensive defenseman but the offensive game is also quite good.
#3 pick looks within definite reach....although i'll waite and see before I put him ahead of some others, because it was just against Norway.
I'm glad I stood by Kessel in the midst of all this Toews hype.... Wow.
nomorekids
The original, baby
I came here to start a thread about just this player.
E. Johnson...dropped my jaw, overall. He's huge, he's got a nice offensive game, a great physical and positional game...I can't wait to see him against a better team, because he looked dominant out there against Norway.
E. Johnson...dropped my jaw, overall. He's huge, he's got a nice offensive game, a great physical and positional game...I can't wait to see him against a better team, because he looked dominant out there against Norway.
X - It's funny you say that. Because the more I see Kessel the more I find myself waiting to see what makes this kid the consensus number one overall pick. I'm not saying he shouldn't be, obviously the attention and hype around him isn't going to be wrong. I'm just saying I haven't seen it yet.
I'd much rather have Kessel than Toews. Don't get me wrong both are going to be excellent NHL players some day but Kessel is so much more dominant out there.X-SHARKIE said:
Does neone else think that Cam Barker looks overrated. He sure dosnt look all that good, maybe he just had a bad game idunno.
Matt MacInnis said:
What more does the kid have to do to prove it? Everywhere he has gone he has outshined the guys that are his own age and he is highly productive. Particularly on the international stage. Isn't that the definition of being a consensus #1 pick? I mean, a guy is just coming off a 5 assist game. I don't know what more he has to do.
I have seen Toews play a number of times this year and I think he'll make a good pro. But he isn't on Kessel's level in terms of production or explosiveness. Kessel has doubled the point total of Toews in college to this point. If Toews is considered the main rival for the #1 pick and his offensive production against similar competition is being doubled by Kessel, I don't see much of an argument on who should be the top pick.
Just to be clear, I'm not saying that I think someone else is better than Kessel.
He just has hasn't done very much that makes me think, wow, this is a first overall pick that's going to be a superstar in the NHL.
Yes, he got 5 assists last night. But like I said in my EJ comments, it's tough to take too much from a game that was so lopsided.
He just has hasn't done very much that makes me think, wow, this is a first overall pick that's going to be a superstar in the NHL.
Yes, he got 5 assists last night. But like I said in my EJ comments, it's tough to take too much from a game that was so lopsided.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
Matt MacInnis said:
Could be some residual effects of the Crosby/Ovechkin comparisions which has led to some lofty expectations. Kessel isn't a generational talent, but he knows what to do with the puck and has been a top scorer at every level. I think he can carry that ability to the next level. Is he head and shoulders above everyone else in his draft class? Potential-wise, probably not, but production-wise he appears to be, and that has to count for something.
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X-SHARKIE
Registered User
nomorekids said:
I've seen him twice now, left me wanting more vs. Wisconsin, and left my jaw on the floor at times vs. Norway.
Finland should be a good test.
Rabid Ranger said:
You just vocalized what I didn't want to say (turning it into a AO/Crosby vs Kessel thing).
Rabid Ranger said:
The other thing that Kessel has against him is he is still kind of raw in his all around game. People saw Crosby and AO and saw two young men that needed some polishing around the edges. Kessel still needs good ol hockey work. IMO he still has a lot to learn and another year in the NCAA might be a bad thing. He has not totally dominated the league. He is more than holding his own. He is still getting noticably better in every game. Kessel right now is not the Kessel that will play in the NHL. He will be better. Most people see him in a game think thats what will translate. Or at least that waht it seems like. People are left wanting more, thats what i hear the most. Well there is more coming, and thats a scary thought.
Jon Prescription said:
EJ looked very strong against Norway, but it might be a little premature to name him top 5 until he faces some actual competition. Sweden and Norway aren't exactly the best teams to judge a player's level of ability against. If he can maintain that level against Russia, Canada and the Czech Repulic, I might agree with you that he is worthy of being named among the top 5 defenseman in the tournament.
He definitely looked stronger then Mueller out there. I wouldn't be surprised if he is drafted in the top 3 this year if he keeps it up.
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