Value of: Erik johnson

[Shootertooter]

I don't think he's arguing EJ is an elite defensman, but rather stating that McDonagh simply is not an elite defensman either, but is just at the level of a good top pairing defensman. I'm not sure how much that has to do with homer goggles, but instead just with how good you think McDonagh actually is. I don't feel like getting involved in either side of this debate right now, but if you're someone who really buys into advanced stats (even Rangers fans like Machinehead), I've seen those people argue McDonagh isn't as good as he is sometimes portrayed.

The other day there was an Av's fan or two arguing that Barrie's numbers last season were a result of playing with Holden......the same can be said about McD playing with Girardi who has become one of the more terrible defenders in the league. I think McD is as advertised and that is one of the better top pair LHD's in the league. Maybe not top 5 but definitely top 10.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Check out their Norris voting record. I don't think EJ has ever received a vote. Around 30 guys get votes year to year. You can usually count on McDonagh being top 15.

EJ has never been healthy enough. Not that he will ever be near winning a Norris but he would certainly get the votes since as you said, it rolls down the list quite far (Francois Beauchemin got a vote last year).

There were some articles in December/January of 2015 though talking about how EJ is an early candidate in Norris talks before he went down for the season. He was leading all defenseman in goals at the all star break and was his regular top competition shutdown self.

Erik Johnson is right now playing the best hockey of his career. He's probably not as good as Mcdonagah but he's absolutely a top pairing guy (which is what has mostly been argued in this thread) and is an arguable #1.

The corsi people like him, the fenwick people love him, the eye test people love him and his good old fashioned NHL stats known as points have him on pace for a career high 46.

21st in points
35th in hits
1st in blocked shots
29th in CF% (minimum 200 mins)
7th in FF% (minimum 200 mins)
3rd in shorthanded TOI/GM (I'm only mentioning this because people used to argue he doesn't PK)

EJ is having himself one hell of a season and hopefully people around the league start to take notice. I heard an out of town broadcast call Tyson Barrie the Avs best defenseman last week. It's stuff like that which pisses fans off.

 

[tucker3434]

Lol this tool is going nowhere. Avs are better off keeping it. Avs are in a deep mess and needs to find good talent through draft.

The Avs are .500...

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

The other day there was an Av's fan or two arguing that Barrie's numbers last season were a result of playing with Holden......the same can be said about McD playing with Girardi who has become one of the more terrible defenders in the league. I think McD is as advertised and that is one of the better top pair LHD's in the league. Maybe not top 5 but definitely top 10.

And EJ has played most frequently with Hunwick, Hejda, and Beauchemin for the last 4 years. Would you have traded Girardi for Hunwick 4 years ago? Or for Hejda 3 years ago?

This year, he's with Zadorov most frequently, and as kento pointed out, he's having a very good year.

 

[cgf]

Make up your minds Avs fans. Do you want an Erik Johnson or a top pairing D in return?

lol burn...wait a minute, EJ is a top pairing Dman, so no that's not a burn; just a silly post. My bad.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

Check out their Norris voting record. I don't think EJ has ever received a vote. Around 30 guys get votes year to year. You can usually count on McDonagh being top 15.

lol last i checked neither were ever nominated (aka a top 3 which is what matters) for a norris.

getting a homer vote here and there is not proof.

again find me legitimate prrof that shows mcdonagh is significantly better than ej. McD is better imo but he is not so much better that their returns were be an astronomical difference.

colorado would absolutely not accept a return that wasn't close to something rangers fans would for McD and that is reality. People can call me a homer all they want, but both players are low end 1's of similar age and there numbers are not that far off either.

 

[tigervixxxen]

It's too bad there wasn't a real answer in this thread because I'm honestly curious. I suspect the length of the contract hurts trade value a bit, at least to the point where the Avs are better off keeping him. Avs aren't going to get a defender in a tier above EJ and they need him at the same time, I just don't see how he's moved.

Was a bit surprised myself to see EJ 3rd on the team in points, just behind MacKinnon and Duchene.

 

[Avs71]

It's too bad there wasn't a real answer in this thread because I'm honestly curious. I suspect the length of the contract hurts trade value a bit, at least to the point where the Avs are better off keeping him. Avs aren't going to get a defender in a tier above EJ and they need him at the same time, I just don't see how he's moved.

Was a bit surprised myself to see EJ 3rd on the team in points, just behind MacKinnon and Duchene.

Look at the lengths of contracts good defencemen get now. You're not going to get a valuable contract on UFA years.

As for EJ. 11 goals last year, 12 goals in 47 games the year before. Tied for the lead in assists on the Avs this year, and eats a lot of hard minutes. People may not find him very valuable around the league, but he provides a ton of value to the Avs.