Should we try JMFJ as a winger?
- Thread starter Kington91
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I often thought the same about Kris Russell.
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Yes, a thousand times, yes. Its worth it at least for half a dozen games to see what happens. I don't think he's as quick as Burns, but he might have even better offensive instincts. Why don't we try it?
Seriously? It worked wonders for Brent Burns. And JJ looks lost in his own end and looks like a dangerous scorer everytime he wanders in the o-zone. Why is it so unfathomable to you?
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Brent Burns had been a forward before in his career ... was converted to a defenseman upon entering the NHL.
As someone who's played hockey for several years; going from defense to wing is a huge change, and can damage a player more than it can help them. You have less time to make a decision with the puck - especially coming out of the zone - and don't get as much room to take your shots.
Why would we want to do this, exactly? I don't think it would help the offense nearly as much as it would hurt the defense. Even though the defense hasn't been great, Jack Johnson is at least experienced and seems to be the leader back there.
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Kington91
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I just feel that he has never been a particularly good defenseman in his own zone. I understand he brings leadership, but he can do so as a winger to. The reason I chose him and not wiz is because of his playing style. He loves to carry the puck up the wing and look for chances first and is able to use his big body on the boards.
He would fit into the mold of this team better as a winger than a D-man IMO. Just a thought...
He would fit into the mold of this team better as a winger than a D-man IMO. Just a thought...
candyman82
Registered User
The difference is that Brent Burns was originally drafted as a forward and had played there throughout most of his life
If I thought he was good at defence I'd be inclined to agree with you.
The potential downside of an experiment also hinges on whether you think he's good at defence now. If Murray was experimented on you could worry about it messing with his instincts, but JJ?
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Sore Loser
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He's always been placed out of his element, in my opinion. I don't think he's that bad of a defender; but what he is and will always be is a physical, ideally 2nd pairing defenseman, who is best paired with a competent defensive minded defenseman.
Throughout his career, he's been flanked by guys like Drew Doughty and James Wisniewski; who are both pretty well worthless defensively. What that's meant for him is inflated minutes and exposed weaknesses. When he played with Dalton Prout last year, the pair was very good because they worked well together. Johnson was able to chip in his offense and play a bit of a roving game; while Prout was the stay at home guy who kept opponents honest.
You people are ridiculous ... two years ago when we acquired Jack Johnson, the feeling was electric - a guy who wanted to play here and made an immediate impact in the locker room. His efforts on defense were immediately contagious and a big part of our turn-around last year. Now, 16 games into the next season, and it's either move him to forward, scratch him, or trade him.
You don't build success by dealing away or alienating competitive guys who want to play for your team.
Crede777
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I had the same thought last night as I watched him 4 on 4.
He looked comfortable on the wing. Does that mean the team should try to move him? Probably not, but it's not far fetched. Wisniewski being moved is a definite no, though, because his skating isn't good enough.
Oh, and Johnson only got 20-ish minutes last night, not 25+. He got roughly the same amount of time as Tyutin and Murray. Wisniewski actually led everyone in TOI.
He looked comfortable on the wing. Does that mean the team should try to move him? Probably not, but it's not far fetched. Wisniewski being moved is a definite no, though, because his skating isn't good enough.
Oh, and Johnson only got 20-ish minutes last night, not 25+. He got roughly the same amount of time as Tyutin and Murray. Wisniewski actually led everyone in TOI.
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I've never thought he was good at defence. I've at times defended him against the proposition that he is the worst in the league, but I've never said he was good at it, not even two years ago.
Put the puck on his stick behind his own net under pressure and a random AHLer would be less likely to turn it over. Put it on his stick behind the net in the o-zone and he's a dangerous scorer. I don't think there's much more to it than that.
But I'm not arguing that he would be better as a forward, though I guess he would, I'm arguing against the idea that we shouldn't experiment. I think coaches systematically undervalue experimentation.
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CBJWerenski8
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Perhaps you preferred Grant Clitsome, Duvie Westcott, Kris Russell, or Derick Walser? Heck, I could go on and on about guys who were worse defenders - and might be better forwards - than Jack Johnson, and have played for this team in the past 10 years. And, had worse attitudes about it. It's getting blown way out of proportion.
This poor start might be our most annoying ever. Most all of us thought that we were a bubble team to make the playoffs; that it would take another Vezina like campaign from Bob and a lot of luck for us to do so ... but we get off to the start that many people expected, and the debates are getting downright irritating.
I think we'd be better straight-up switching him with Erixon right now. I have no idea what folks are talking about JJ being so important to our defence.
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CBJWerenski8
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RogerSterling
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What a backhanded compliment for Johnson - he's better than really bad defensemen. I don't think he'd improve the team at forward and he's always been this kind of player in Columbus, but geez give him a little more credit.
I think people fell in love with the guy when he was traded here because he replaced a player who clearly wanted nothing to do with this franchise and Johnson said all the right things at the time he was traded. He also came in around the same time that it was clear Nash wanted to get out of dodge and the team was hitting its absolute nadir of existence.
He's a second pairing defenseman who needs a bit of coddling from his coaches (meaning he needs a lot of o-zone starts and minimal d-zone starts). He's a good powerplay QB and is great jumping up with the forwards in transition. He will never be a shutdown guy and will always be a turnover machine, but that's nothing new. I think Richards is counting on Johnson to do a little more than he's capable of, but that's probably because there aren't a lot of alternatives.
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
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Count me as the minority that has been perfectly fine with Jack Johnson this year aside from some mistakes. He hasn't looked any different than the dude we defended from other teams' fans last year and the year before. If you hated him then, then fine, but if you defended him during this time then IDK what to tell you.
