Prospect Info: Ryan Johnson, D, 2019 #31 overall: Signed, Rochester (AHL), Recalled 12/5/24

[Jim Bob]

 

[WeDislikeEich]

No news yet on Johnson? I feel like the longer it goes without news, the more likely it is that he’s going back to school (same as I felt about Levi).

You’d think if he was signing he’d want to do it sooner rather than later to get into games.
Unless he’s pushing for NHL games and the sabres are pushing for the AHL or something. Otherwise I don’t really see what the hold up would be if he was leaving school.

 

[Djp]

No news yet on Johnson? I feel like the longer it goes without news, the more likely it is that he’s going back to school (same as I felt about Levi).

You’d think if he was signing he’d want to do it sooner rather than later to get into games.
Unless he’s pushing for NHL games and the sabres are pushing for the AHL or something. Otherwise I don’t really see what the hold up would be if he was leaving school.

I thought it was reported he was returning to minnesota.

 

[Ace]

I thought it was reported he was returning to minnesota.

not yet. But it feels inevitable. Gonna be a real bad time with 3 guys who should have come out heading back. Sets their development back and 2 of them can walk.

the bright side would be never having to hear the usual suspects say “guys almost never spurn their team out of college so there’s no reason to worry”

there’s reason for this organization to worry

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I don't feel like he's worth much more than the 2nd rounder we get if he walk. Add in the fact that we already have a logjam at his position and it wakes me wonder if I should care at all if he doesn't sign.

 

[Rastin]

I don't feel like he's worth much more than the 2nd rounder we get if he walk. Add in the fact that we already have a logjam at his position and it wakes me wonder if I should care at all if he doesn't sign.

I totally disagree. I get a very good vibe from Johnson. He's not going to be an all-star but he's going to be one of those excellent middle pairing defenders that teams need to go from good to great. He's solid defensively, has some offensive upside and can skate. He's an important piece of our future IMO!

 

[debaser66]

Here is my take.

All of these kids in college went to college for an experience (dorm/apt living, elite facilities, maybe education, the college atmosphere, possibly family ties to a school). We, as fans, should have zero input on what they decide to do. If they want to go back for another, cool, it's their right under the CBA. Give them stuff to work on, keep in touch and make sure they know they have the full backing of an NHL club when they are ready.

This whole money thing and we are going to lose his rights crusade on all college prospects is crazy. Some guys don't care a whole lot about the ELC money and that is up to them, not us. IF Adams gets notice from an agent that his client is not interested in signing, then so be it. It is the players right under the CBA. Would it suck, sure, but that is a risk you have to take when you draft players from any league.

Just sit back and let it play out because honestly, none of us knows anything about these conversations.

Its not like anything we say around here has any real life implications

 

[Snippit]

If he returns to Minny, I don’t have a good feeling about signing him next year. The path would look pretty clear to LA for him. It’s close to home, his dad works in the organization and they need LHD.

 

[SundherDome]

Why does everyone assume he wants to go to LA? Having your dad as a pro coach seems like a nightmare.

 

[michaelsaas]

I wonder if one x-factor in these guys returning to college is that the last two years didn't allow them to have the typical college experience, and they want to have a year of that before going pro.

 

[Lloydchristmas138]

I wonder if one x-factor in these guys returning to college is that the last two years didn't allow them to have the typical college experience, and they want to have a year of that before going pro.

That and he might think he can avoid toiling in Rochester for a year opposed to staying in school with his friends chasing a championship. Then jump straight to the NHL after that.

 

[Jim Bob]

Why does everyone assume he wants to go to LA? Having your dad as a pro coach seems like a nightmare.

He is a SoCal native and LA is RHD heavy. So, he gets to play close to home and have an easier path to the NHL.

The dad angle would seem to be more about LA’s interest in RyJo to me. And it all depends on the relationship between kid and dad.

 

[Chainshot]

not yet. But it feels inevitable. Gonna be a real bad time with 3 guys who should have come out heading back. Sets their development back and 2 of them can walk.

the bright side would be never having to hear the usual suspects say “guys almost never spurn their team out of college so there’s no reason to worry”

there’s reason for this organization to worry

The pile of guys who have signed vs who they lost? Seems kind of evidence based that the amount of worry (and passive aggressive shots at people who have pointed this out) is out of whack with the reality.

 

[sabremike]

The pile of guys who have signed vs who they lost? Seems kind of evidence based that the amount of worry (and passive aggressive shots at people who have pointed this out) is out of whack with the reality.

How many first round picks even get to the point where they play a senior season in cawlidge hawkey rather than signing with the team that drafted them? That almost always is done by guys drafted in the 3rd round or later. And when is the last time an NHL organization found itself in the position to lose it's top 3 unsigned prospects in this manner at the same exact time? When something this unusual happens and we've been torched by it in the past how can you blame anyone for fearing the worst?

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

How many first round picks even get to the point where they play a senior season in cawlidge hawkey rather than signing with the team that drafted them? That almost always is done by guys drafted in the 3rd round or later. And when is the last time an NHL organization found itself in the position to lose it's top 3 unsigned prospects in this manner at the same exact time? When something this unusual happens and we've been torched by it in the past how can you blame anyone for fearing the worst?

This is the real reason Dahlin got moved to the right side. They're showing Johnson that his only competition on the left is Bryson. That's what my Tarot cards said anyway.

Seriously though, I'm on the fence (with Johnson and the goalies). I don't stop worrying about stuff until it's etched in stone.

 

[joshjull]

How many first round picks even get to the point where they play a senior season in cawlidge hawkey rather than signing with the team that drafted them? That almost always is done by guys drafted in the 3rd round or later. And when is the last time an NHL organization found itself in the position to lose it's top 3 unsigned prospects in this manner at the same exact time? When something this unusual happens and we've been torched by it in the past how can you blame anyone for fearing the worst?

This is quite melodramatic.

 

[elchud]

We are crazy thin on D prospects. Yes that will be addressed this draft. You'd like to have 2 or 3 ELC d-men in Rochester every season. Next year may just be Laaksonen.

 

[joshjull]

How many first round picks even get to the point where they play a senior season in cawlidge hawkey rather than signing with the team that drafted them? That almost always is done by guys drafted in the 3rd round or later. And when is the last time an NHL organization found itself in the position to lose it's top 3 unsigned prospects in this manner at the same exact time? When something this unusual happens and we've been torched by it in the past how can you blame anyone for fearing the worst?

There you go. Johnson’s Minny teammate who was drafted 39th in the same year Johnson went 31st is going back for his senior year.

 

[Chainshot]

There you go. Someone drafted 39th in the same year Johnson went 31st going back for his senior year.

Hab pick Jayden Struble (taken at 46 that year) is reportedly going back to NEU to play in front of Levi.
Wings pick Robert Mastrosimono (54th) not only didn't sign, he entered the transfer portal two days ago.

Jay O'Brien (2018, 19th overall) is going back for his senior season at BU and he's even older than Johnson and would already qualify as a UFA by August if he chooses.

 

[sabremike]

Hab pick Jayden Struble (taken at 46 that year) is reportedly going back to NEU to play in front of Levi.
Wings pick Robert Mastrosimono (54th) not only didn't sign, he entered the transfer portal two days ago.

Jay O'Brien (2018, 19th overall) is going back for his senior season at BU and he's even older than Johnson and would already qualify as a UFA by August if he chooses.

"The Flyers are in the same situation" is not exactly reassuring as their organization is a dysfunctional laughingstock that has Ed Snider spinning in his grave.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Why does everyone assume he wants to go to LA? Having your dad as a pro coach seems like a nightmare.

LA average high temp in January 69F, Buffalo 31F, California women. But if he is smart he would choose a team in a state with no sales tax.

 

[Snippit]

There you go. Johnson’s Minny teammate who was drafted 39th in the same year Johnson went 31st is going back for his senior year.

The Anaheim board is similarly worrying about Thrun and LaCombe.

 

[HaNotsri]

How many first round picks even get to the point where they play a senior season in cawlidge hawkey rather than signing with the team that drafted them? That almost always is done by guys drafted in the 3rd round or later. And when is the last time an NHL organization found itself in the position to lose it's top 3 unsigned prospects in this manner at the same exact time? When something this unusual happens and we've been torched by it in the past how can you blame anyone for fearing the worst?

It's just perfectly set up for another huge disappointment. Hard to expect things turning out ok as a fan because it never does.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

How many first round picks even get to the point where they play a senior season in cawlidge hawkey rather than signing with the team that drafted them? That almost always is done by guys drafted in the 3rd round or later. And when is the last time an NHL organization found itself in the position to lose it's top 3 unsigned prospects in this manner at the same exact time? When something this unusual happens and we've been torched by it in the past how can you blame anyone for fearing the worst?

Jay O'Brien PHI 1st rounder from 2018 is in the same spot as Johnson. Jake Oettinger could have gone back for his 4th season, now he's DAL starter.

It doesn't happen a lot to 1st rounders because there aren't a ton of 1st rounders who go NCAA route. The few who do are one and done.

 

[SundherDome]

LA average high temp in January 69F, Buffalo 31F, California women. But if he is smart he would choose a team in a state with no sales tax.

I don't think weather plays a role tbh. With all the travel and a Sept to April season, they can vacation or live somewhere warmer for the other 6 months.

If it were me, I'd play where I am drafted. If for whatever reason that wasn't feasible, I'm looking to burn years, pay little taxes, and live with someone I know to minimize expenses.