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

[Sabresfansince1980]

Stillman has been better than expected, but if Johnson's upside is replacing him, that's thoroughly underwhelming.

Johnson's absolute ceiling is a #4 if everything goes perfectly. More likely he is a 5 or 6, so i'd temper expectations.

I've always assumed that Johnson can be a good 3rd pair guy, and nothing more. I'll take a steady responsible LHD as a hopeful improvement over Stillman. He's not going to be nasty or physical, but a Borgen type on the other side would be great. Or maybe Novikov becomes that guy. I'm happy now with the 3rd pair options in the system. No real need anymore to go get a 3rd pair LHD in trade or UFA. If a top-4 D-man is added, Jokiharju moves down on the right side and things are looking pretty good.

 

[MOGlLNY]

I've always assumed that Johnson can be a good 3rd pair guy, and nothing more. I'll take a steady responsible LHD as a hopeful improvement over Stillman. He's not going to be nasty or physical, but a Borgen type on the other side would be great. Or maybe Novikov becomes that guy. I'm happy now with the 3rd pair options in the system. No real need anymore to go get a 3rd pair LHD in trade or UFA. If a top-4 D-man is added, Jokiharju moves down on the right side and things are looking pretty good.

yep! absolutely

 

[Chainshot]

Stillman has been better than expected, but if Johnson's upside is replacing him, that's thoroughly underwhelming.

I'm talking in the near term. I don't see him pushing above Dahlin/Samuelsson on pair 1 or Power on pair 2 LD.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

I'm talking in the near term. I don't see him pushing above Dahlin/Samuelsson on pair 1 or Power on pair 2 LD.

In my wildest dreams I wouldn't envision him displacing any of the Big 3. We all want Joki's spot upgraded. Johnson's attributes suit what we think Power needs in a partner. Adams doesn't care about handedness.

Lots of you guys follow our prospects way more closely than I do. I see them at major tourneys - WJC, Frozen Four, Mem Cup. I yield to your expertise.

It's just a bit disappointing hearing that a guy we've agonized about signing for 2 years is destined for no better than a 3rd pairing spot. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more upside than that.

 

[Chainshot]

In my wildest dreams I wouldn't envision him displacing any of the Big 3. We all want Joki's spot upgraded. Johnson's attributes suit what we think Power needs in a partner. Adams doesn't care about handedness.

Lots of you guys follow our prospects way more closely than I do. I see them at major tourneys - WJC, Frozen Four, Mem Cup. I yield to your expertise.

It's just a bit disappointing hearing that a guy we've agonized about signing for 2 years is destined for no better than a 3rd pairing spot. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more upside than that.

Ah, okay - I was thinking in the next season. If things break for them the right way, he could be a partner for either Dahlin or Power, though I think it would probably be more with a Johnson-Dahlin and Power-Samuelsson look if they went that way. Ryan was very solid on LD with Faber as a RD late in this last season. He's a safe player and takes care of his own zone but I would prefer him on his strong hand side.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Ya, my thinking was a bit blinkered - Johnson, eventually, or a summer trade acquisition, upgrading Joki by replacing him at the RD spot beside Power.

With the talent among the Big 3, there are other ways to create two strong pairings.

 

[K8fool]

i could see Johnson looking to be honorable to be in on some trade that he goes where he wants or whatever might be rumoured around as his family is in the know.. everyone wins type of without messing w his rep..

or he justs wanted to play here and was ironing details about his future or ... busy etc.. whatever as i definitely haven't followed it but seeing the angst. upon checking in from time to time.. the last prospect other than poltapov getting out of his contract that we ever care about aside from this upcoming draft..

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Chainshot]

 

[joshjull]

Nice reminder these are kids making major life decisions that will effect them many years.

I can only imagine the internal debate going through his head with free agency almost within reach. Whatever organization he commits to, that’s his team for quite some time.

Also sounded like he needed to be assured on the value of playing in the AHL. I think he said his dad was one of the people telling him the positives of it.

Makes me wonder if Adams told him he was starting in AHL. Then Johnson’s initial reaction was a little disappointment because he wasn’t going straight to the NHL (like some teammates have). Who knows. Just glad he’s in the fold.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Nice reminder these are kids making major life decisions that will for effect them many years.

I can only imagine the internal debate going through his head with free agency almost within reach. Whatever organization he commits to, that’s his team for quite some time.

Also sounded like he needed to be assured on the value of playing in the AHL. I think he said his dad was one of the people telling him the positives of it.

Makes me wonder if Adams told him he was starting in AHL. Then Johnson’s initial reaction was a little disappointment because he wasn’t going straight to the NHL like some teammates have. Who knows. Just glad he’s in the fold.

I’d be willing to bet that you’re really close to the reason, if not completely spot on. I write this based on his comments on his dad telling him the value of the AHL.

 

[Irie]

Johnson's absolute ceiling is a #4 if everything goes perfectly. More likely he is a 5 or 6, so i'd temper expectations.

While I strongly feel that this is an accurate prediction of Johnson and his upside, I would say that there is NEVER an absolute ceiling on any 21 year old player, especially a defenseman.

Many D make huge strides and reinvent themselves between the age of 25 and 27, so predicting ceilings is impossible.

Curbing expectations is healthy here, but giving up on higher hopes is unnecessary. Maybe Johnson spent most of his time and energy on college interests. Maybe he will work three times as hard on his hockey now that it can be his sole focus and he shows another level soon. Stranger things have happened

 

[Irie]

Nice reminder these are kids making major life decisions that will for effect them many years.

I can only imagine the internal debate going through his head with free agency almost within reach. Whatever organization he commits to, that’s his team for quite some time.

Also sounded like he needed to be assured on the value of playing in the AHL. I think he said his dad was one of the people telling him the positives of it.

Makes me wonder if Adams told him he was starting in AHL. Then Johnson’s initial reaction was a little disappointment because he wasn’t going straight to the NHL like some teammates have. Who knows. Just glad he’s in the fold.

I do wonder if Craig Johnson made a few "hypothetical" inquiries to his current boss(Anaheim) and possibly to his previous boss(LA) about the chances of Ryan getting an ELC offer from either in August before Ryan made his decision, and the responses were "hypothetically, we can not guarantee anything other than a camp invite in three months".

Blake and Johnson were teammates for a lot of years and recently worked together, that would be an easy call to make.

I have to think that most dads would put in a bit of a "hypothetical" feeler like that if they were in Craig Johnson's shoes.

 

[Chainshot]

I do wonder if Craig Johnson made a few "hypothetical" inquiries to his current boss(Anaheim) and possibly to his previous boss(LA) about the chances of Ryan getting an ELC offer from either in August before Ryan made his decision, and the responses were "hypothetically, we can not guarantee anything other than a camp invite in three months".

Blake and Johnson were teammates for a lot of years and recently worked together, that would be an easy call to make.

I have to think that most dads would put in a bit of a "hypothetical" feeler like that if they were in Craig Johnson's shoes.

Eh, none of the California teams are shy on high quality blueline prospects. I don't even think Craig has to call around to know that.

 

[Irie]

Eh, none of the California teams are shy on high quality blueline prospects. I don't even think Craig has to call around to know that.

Anaheim was a long shot with the development of Zellweger and the addition of Mintyukov last season, but the kings are pretty thin on the left side and Bjornfoot is no longer waiver exempt. Overall, Spence soon won't be either, and Faber is gone. I think they might be closer to a league-wide representation of how Johnson's UFA status would be received than they may seem on the surface.

 

[Chainshot]

Anaheim was a long shot with the development of Zellweger and the addition of Mintyukov last season, but the kings are pretty thin on the left side and Bjornfoot is no longer waiver exempt. Overall, Spence soon won't be either, and Faber is gone. I think they might be closer to a league-wide representation of how Johnson's UFA status would be received than they may seem on the surface.

Anaheim also has top Q d-man Luneau and Warren in Gatineau as well as Q defensive defenseman of the year Hinds. They're swimming in 'em without even getting down into guys like Moore who have Johnson in size and the ever-present preference for RHD. It's part of why Thrun chose to look elsewhere and they moved him - there wasn't an easy path there.

As for LA - Bjornfot stepped back but there is still a player in Movarere as well as the Clarke/Spence/Grans RHD trio. That's without them finding homes for a solid NHL crew.

San Jose was the thinner of the three Cali teams and they went out to get Thrun, Mukhamadullin, and Okhotyuk in trade and signed Pulli as a UDFA. If the idea is that having an easier path was wanted, Buffalo is actually a lot closer to needing a recallable defenseman.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

What I like about this is more the overall minor depth created by the team with picks and signings. You have to figure between Johnson/Komorav/Novikov maybe one becomes a solid NHLer. I still think we need to use one of the three top 50 picks on an RD. And sign a vet RD to a two-year deal.

 

[Irie]

Anaheim also has top Q d-man Luneau and Warren in Gatineau as well as Q defensive defenseman of the year Hinds. They're swimming in 'em without even getting down into guys like Moore who have Johnson in size and the ever-present preference for RHD. It's part of why Thrun chose to look elsewhere and they moved him - there wasn't an easy path there.

As for LA - Bjornfot stepped back but there is still a player in Movarere as well as the Clarke/Spence/Grans RHD trio. That's without them finding homes for a solid NHL crew.

San Jose was the thinner of the three Cali teams and they went out to get Thrun, Mukhamadullin, and Okhotyuk in trade and signed Pulli as a UDFA. If the idea is that having an easier path was wanted, Buffalo is actually a lot closer to needing a recallable defenseman.

Good points but that doesn't really change my premise. The incentive for Johnson to not sign and wait and try to pick another location is a big risk and any feedback C. Johnson got from Blake could be assumed to likely be an expected response from most teams around the league. Buffalo having a solid path to NHL time is a bonus for Johnson further making signing attractive, but it does not affect the chances of other teams would be lining up to offer Johnson an ELC in August.

As far as California teams go, lumping San Jose into the LA/Anaheim grouping due to location is fairly akin to lumping Buffalo into the Rangers Islanders grouping. The Yotes or Knights would better fill the "close to home" draw prerequisite , unless he just really liked the California tax system

 

[Chainshot]

Good points but that doesn't really change my premise. The incentive for Johnson to not sign and wait and try to pick another location is a big risk and any feedback C. Johnson got from Blake could be assumed to likely be an expected response from most teams around the league. Buffalo having a solid path to NHL time is a bonus for Johnson further making signing attractive, but it does not affect the chances of other teams would be lining up to offer Johnson an ELC in August.

As far as California teams go, lumping San Jose into the LA/Anaheim grouping due to location is fairly akin to lumping Buffalo into the Rangers Islanders grouping. The Yotes or Knights would better fill the "close to home" draw prerequisite , unless he just really liked the California tax system

I was trying to be nice in the face of what the Kings and Ducks have in their prospect pipeline.

 

[Irie]

I was trying to be nice in the face of what the Kings and Ducks have in their prospect pipeline.

I get that, and I appreciate your tact, but I do disagree that LA is so loaded that there would obviously be zero interest in a UFA LHD prospect and Craig would not reach out and try to gauge the environment to help his son make an informed decision.

 

[Tachycineta]

As far as California teams go, lumping San Jose into the LA/Anaheim grouping due to location is fairly akin to lumping Buffalo into the Rangers Islanders grouping. The Yotes or Knights would better fill the "close to home" draw prerequisite , unless he just really liked the California tax system

I don't know. I personally love the California tax system and the 540 form. J/K

I am glad be signed in Buffalo and said good things about the community and culture.

 

[Jacob582]

Interesting they had him room with Metsa in Rochester who he had lost the NCAA championship to earlier in the spring.

Maybe they will be a D pair next season. I was thinking Johnson would be with Prow and Novikov with Metsa.

 

[Chainshot]

Interesting they had him room with Metsa in Rochester who he had lost the NCAA championship to earlier in the spring.

Maybe they will be a D pair next season. I was thinking Johnson would be with Prow and Novikov with Metsa.

Prow might move down to the vet role that Bartkowski had this year - he's slowed a bit and it showed more as the playoffs went on.

 

[Dingo44]

Here's the YouTube version

 

[vcv]

Completely forgot we signed him. Seems like no one has him penciled in for the big club at all. Y’all think he will spend all year in Rochester, injuries aside?