yup. Not to mention the offense.. Kesler, Parise, Kessel, Skille, Oshie, Wheeler, Okposo, tons more. USA is really starting up a huge talent wave in these current years.Panasonic Youth said:USA's blueline is going to be sick eight years from now.
Like I said, it was more a style comparison. Chelios is another good one. I just get a Bourque-ish vibe from watching JJ play, the way he skates and plays the game (obviously a notch below offensively, and a grittier defensive player, not saying Bourque was a slouch).Caniacforever said:Jack Johnson is quite a bit like Chris Chelios in the way that he approaches the game. Ray Bourque is a bit off in my opinion, because Bourque wasn't ever as immensely physical as Jack Johnson plays. He also had world class vision and passing ability, and I honestly don't think Johnson has a gear quite like that. Bourque was a generational defenseman, Johnson is probably going to be an elite defenseman quite a bit like a Rob Blake.
jtuzzi said:yup. Not to mention the offense.. Kesler, Parise, Kessel, Skille, Oshie, Wheeler, Okposo, tons more. USA is really starting up a huge talent wave in these current years.
And if Pittsburgh can land Erik Johnson, they'll also feature US Dmen Brooks Orpik, Ryan Whitney, Noah Welch and Alex Goligoski.Panasonic Youth said:USA's blueline is going to be sick eight years from now.
Evilo said:And if Pittsburgh can land Erik Johnson, they'll also feature US Dmen Brooks Orpik, Ryan Whitney, Noah Welch and Alex Goligoski.
scoutman1 said:I think alot of people are going to pick Erik even though IMO Jack is the better player all around. Erik is the flavour of the month type thing and alot of people will be jumping on his bad wagen. But Jack is just amazing.
Evilo said:And if Pittsburgh can land Erik Johnson, they'll also feature US Dmen Brooks Orpik, Ryan Whitney, Noah Welch and Alex Goligoski.
jtuzzi said:yup. Not to mention the offense.. Kesler, Parise, Kessel, Skille, Oshie, Wheeler, Okposo, tons more. USA is really starting up a huge talent wave in these current years.
Orpik has had a rough season, that's for sure. Especially after the Cole hit.Jon Prescription said:I think you might see Orpik replaced. Kid doesn't look good at all when he's out there. Welch, though, is a monster. Man alive is he going to be good.
And I've never liked Goligoski from when he was drafted till now. Just don't like his play. Has good potential I guess, but not a favorite of mine!
Whitney, Welch, and if St. Louis passes up on Johnson... Man alive!
Evilo said:Orpik has had a rough season, that's for sure. Especially after the Cole hit.
That said, the kid still has a lot of ability.
is this the wjc's or the under 18's? if its the under 18's as you say than it isnt really a fair comparison to jj. if its the wjc's, could you post what they put in there for jj as well?Jon Prescription said:This is what McKeens had to say about EJ's U18:
Erik Johnson (2006), D, 6-4-6-10
Review: Johnson was simply the best player in the whole tournament, despite an unnecessary game misconduct for an excessive hit in the final. His overall skill level and maturity was head and shoulders above anyone else and at times it looked like a seasoned veteran from a top Euro league had dropped down on the ice, playing against kids.
Scouting: One of the biggest players in the tournament, but also one of the most mobile .. doesn't have single major flaw in his skating, as he turns very well and has no problems with his lateral movement .. smooth stride and when he gears up to top speed, he can catch anyone and few can catch him .. handles the puck with ease and great confidence, soft hands and could dangle his way end-to-end if he likes .. could get overconfident at times, but that's very rare and if so, he was able to clean up his own mess .. stellar passing game and vision and controls the powerplay from the point with great poise .. possesses a very hard and clean slap shot that he releases with great quickness, only the accuracy of it isn't quite NHL caliber just yet .. physically, he is a brute force at this level .. delivers excellent open-ice hits when the opportunity arises and obviously doesn't back down in his own end, where his size, hockey sense and mobility, make him almost impossible to get around .. is the type of player that thrives when the game gets physical, although he doesn't have to hit much really, as his hockey sense would take care of most things defensively anyway, but he does it just for the sheer joy of hitting .. all-in-all, a tremendous package that could be NHL ready this fall.
bleedgreen said:is this the wjc's or the under 18's? if its the under 18's as you say than it isnt really a fair comparison to jj. if its the wjc's, could you post what they put in there for jj as well?
yea I just tried to sneak him in.Captain Conservative said:Kesler? He might make the team as a checking line forward, but I wouldn't say he'll be a big part of the offence. Not that i'm saying that your personal BIAS played any part of you mentioning him.
Just kidding.
u-18'sbleedgreen said:is this the wjc's or the under 18's? if its the under 18's as you say than it isnt really a fair comparison to jj. if its the wjc's, could you post what they put in there for jj as well?