Vancouver Signs Ryan Johnson

[Snipes19]

Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis today announced that the team has signed free agent forward Ryan Johnson.

Johnson, 32, joins the Canucks from the St. Louis Blues where he has spent the past five seasons. In 79 games during the 2007-08 season with St. Louis, Johnson recorded 18 points (5-13-18) and 22 penalty minutes.

In 547 regular season games with St. Louis, Florida and Tampa Bay, Johnson has scored 34 goals, added 68 assists for 102 points and 218 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-1, 185 lbs. native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, was originally selected in the 2nd round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

[Snipes19]

Pretty good deal for the Canucks. I've watched Johnson here in St. Louis for a long-time and he's a very good and underrated 4th-line guy. Don't count on him to pitch in a lot of goals or anything because he's not very offensively gifted, but he's a good defensive center. He is VERY fast and blocks shots like crazy (one time be blocked 10 shots after breaking his foot - no exaggeration), so he's a good team player. He sacrafices his body for anything in order for his team to win. He's also a tremendous penalty killer, so trust me - he will make an impact. I liked RJ, but the Blues are just trying to get younger so that's why he wasn't brought back.

Vancouver's bottom two forward lines are shaping up to be pretty good defensively, but they need another top 6 forward to give them some help on offense. Their top two lines need some help and that's their big problem right now, and the Canucks still haven't solved that.

[canuckfan]

Johnson's a worker, I know that - a good defensive player, penalty killer - he should fit in well with AV's coaching style.

Is he a good faceoff guy, Wes? I know thats something the Canucks have been missing for a while too, stength in the faceoff department. Byron Ritchie, who Johnson is essentially replacing, was brought in last summer to help there and struggled most nights in the circle.

But he's not going to score a ton of goals. And thats what the Canucks need the most.

[Grittzkey]

Great move, Ryan is one of those guys you love to have on your team, Great defensivly.. Good on the PK. Isn't offensivly gifted, But he earns his praise day in day out..

Vancouver is making some good strides.. As long as they dont spend 20m for 2years of sundin they'll be alright.

[GIANTSFAN]

He better not take the place of Rypien, Cowan or Hordichuk in any game.

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

Johnson's a worker, I know that - a good defensive player, penalty killer - he should fit in well with AV's coaching style.

Is he a good faceoff guy, Wes? I know thats something the Canucks have been missing for a while too, stength in the faceoff department. Byron Ritchie, who Johnson is essentially replacing, was brought in last summer to help there and struggled most nights in the circle.

But he's not going to score a ton of goals. And thats what the Canucks need the most.

Yeah, Johnson's a pretty good faceoff guy. The Blues had Andy McDonald and Jay McClement take more faceoffs than him since they are our two best, but Johnson is still no push-over.

And also, one thing I have to say is that after games, fans tend to complain about certain players obviously, but I never found myself complaining about Ryan Johnson, nor did any other Blues fan. He gives it 100% every shift and every game. He's one of those guys that tries his hardest every time he's on the ice and he sacrafices his body a ton, so you can't really expect much more out of a defensive forward. He does what's asked of him and never does anything stupid. He also has to be one of the fastest guys in the league - you just never hear his name brought up when talking about the fastest players because he's not that well known but he can fly.

You guys should like him in Vancouver. He gives a ton of effort and is a good player to have. You will especially notice his impact when your team is on the penalty kill. He lead the league in blocked shots last year, and it's pretty incredible how many times he blocks a shot. He had to have had bruises covering his whole body last year. But with that said, he still doesn't miss a shift. Even if he goes off limping - he's back on the ice the next time his shift rolls around.

But like you said - Vancouver still needs scoring help. And unfortunately I think they may have to overpay for someone to get it (especially after hearing that Sundin rumor earlier today). But if that's what it takes, then that's what it takes, you know?

[detroit4life]

St. Louis was lookin like the Globo Gym Cobras for a while there before he left. They had Johnson, Johnson, Johnson, Janssen and Jackman.

Might as well have been "Blazer, Lazer, Tazer and all kinds of azers!"

[stevecanuck16]

Thanks for your input, Wes. Johnson seems like the kind of player you would never hear anything about unless he played for your team. I'll reserve judgment, but for now I'm happy with this signing.

[Joel the Banker]

I'm going to miss RJ, I loved watching him in St. Louis. I hate to see him go, but, I know why. Vancouver, you got a great player there. The guy gives a 110% night after night, you'll like him.

JtB

[MattBurger]

This is a very good signing for Vancouver. Johnson is the perfect center for their 3rd line.