Canucks sign Ryan Johnson

[rizzo32]

per Andy Strickland

2 yr. deal worth 2.4 million, 1.2 per yr.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15977

[Peter Griffin]

Hmm, interesting indeed. Looks like either Kesler or Wellwood could be pencilled into the top 6. I like Johnson, but don't think he was the type of player we should be signing at all. Johnson centering the 3rd line with Kesler at RW on one of the top two lines?

[JannikAtTheDisco]

1.2 for Johnson? Really? Maybe he'd fit with Kesler and Burrows...

How many bottom 6 forwards do we have now?

Wellwood, Pyatt, Pettinger, Burrows, Hordichuk, Kesler, Johnson, Cowan, Rypien

[Finkle is Einhorn]

I guess a PK specialist? Not really getting these signings so far.

[thecupismine]

I'm going to assume he's the fourth line centerman behind Sedin, Kesler and a FA or Wellwood.

[Barney Gumble]

Face-off specialist? 54.5% success rate last season.

[DreamCatcher*]

There is our 4th line center

Hordichuk-Johnson-??

[Johnny Canuck]

he can play the wing or center, improvement over cowan, rypien for the 4th line spot.

[Kickassguy]

Yeah, he's just rounding out the 4th line. I would hope.

[hlrsr]

Another 4th line player, I presume to play with Hordichuk?

I would have preferred Gratton and I thought we could get him for somewhere around that price, but I do believe Johnson is good at his role.

[Barney Gumble]

Originally Posted by Untouchable

There is our 4th line center

Hordichuk-Johnson-??

I'm guessing Pettinger

3rd line: Kesler, with Burrows & Hansen or Pyatt as wingers

[Finkle is Einhorn]

Didn't Johnson lead all forwards in blocked shots? Or am I remembering someone else?

[DreamCatcher*]

Originally Posted by hlrsr

Another 4th line player, I presume to play with Hordichuk?

I would have preferred Gratton and I thought we could get him for somewhere around that price, but I do believe Johnson is good at his role.

Gratton does not fulfill the speed credential that Gillis is looking.

Gillis is rounding out the roster with exactly what he is looking for, Speed, Grit, and Competitiveness.

[19nazzy]

Why do we need another 3rd/4th liner? The team is full of them already.

[Mr Sakich]

this is a pure moneyball signing. He does all the little things right and is always underpaid.

Great small signing

[JannikAtTheDisco]

Poor Hansen

He must be on the internet in Denmark right now just cringing at these signings, taking up all the possible spots he could have had on the team.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by Speedy Kesler

Poor Hansen

He must be on the internet in Denmark right now just cringing at these signings, taking up all the possible spots he could have had on the team.

If he can't beat out these scrubs for a roster spot in September, he's got bigger problems.

[trbr86]

Well, we have a ubiquity of bottom-six forwards now.

Burrows-Kesler-Pyatt
Hordichuk-Johnson-Pettinger

Along with the likes of Wellwood, Cowan, Hansen, Rypien, Brown.

I said it before, but I suspect that the Canucks are dangling one of these forwards for an asset.

[Randall Ritchey]

Johnson did lead all forwards in shots blocked. St. Louis fans were split over to resign him or not. He is number one PK guy.

[Barney Gumble]

Originally Posted by 19nazzy

Why do we need another 3rd/4th liner? The team is full of them already.

Not a 4th line center who's good at face-offs though.

[anguscertified]

fantastic PK'er, lead the league in blocked shots for a forward.

Much improved bottom six, HUGE upgrade over Ritchie. The money is a tad high but I doubt the extra 500k will hamstring us.

[Polaris]

Enjoy him, guys. Great skater, great at faceoffs, great at blocking shots and his performance on the ice can be inspiring at times (especially when he's blocking a crazy amount of shots or running over Hasek )

Limited offense though. Still, a great PK'er and he'll more than likely earn every penny of his paycheck. He's truly a guy who goes all out every night.

[trbr86]

Originally Posted by Speedy Kesler

Poor Hansen

He must be on the internet in Denmark right now just cringing at these signings, taking up all the possible spots he could have had on the team.

Fact of the matter is that if Hansen is a better player in camp than any of these guys, he's going to make the team. He shouldn't be worrying about other players, he should be worrying about making himself a better player.

[DreamCatcher*]

Originally Posted by Stemps

Johnson did lead all forwards in shots blocked. St. Louis fans were split over to resign him or not. He is number one PK guy.

This was Gillis' plan all along to tie your hands with Backes so we can have Johnson!

[Payaso619*]

This is getting pretty frustrating, I don't get these signings that Gillis is making, don't we already have an abundance of 4th/3rd liners, that we can plug in by our farm? Gillis better have another move up his sleeve cause this is giving me headaches