7.
Ryan Johnson, LHD, 20 (University of Minnesota)
Johnson just continues to progress nicely along a steady incline (without necessarily taking off up a steep one). He has become one of the top play-driving defencemen in college hockey, with excellent on-ice results and the underlying five-on-five numbers to reflect that. Johnson’s biggest asset is his four-way skating and footwork. He can dictate play with his feet, whether that’s side-stepping pressure through the neutral zone, spinning off of it in an escape under pressure in his own zone, or walking the line in the offensive zone. He adjusts in and out of space effectively and does a great job opening up lanes to pass into (though he’s not much of a shot threat and his comfort with the puck doesn’t include a particularly aggressive style per se). There are actually times where I’d like him to use his feet more often in those ways, instead of just pivoting into an outlet pass when he sees one. There’s room in his game for him to take control a little more. Defensively he gaps the rush effectively and defends within his own zone with smart reads and routes. He’s not likely going to be a big special-teams guy in the NHL, which could limit his upside, but I like him as a possession-driving No. 4-5 who drives results at both ends even-strength. He has also played both sides in college, which gives him some flexibility.
