Another player who impressed last night was Jack Johnson, and it seems as though Johnson might benefit from Terry Murray’s new emphasis on playmaking, including the thumbs-up for defensemen to be more active in initiating and joining plays.
Johnson was known as a strong two-way defenseman at the University of Michigan, but that top-level offensive ability has yet to show itself at the NHL level. Johnson had eight goals and 28 assists in 80 games last season, but his voice picked up a noticeably more excited tone when he was asked about his desire to be more active in the offensive zone.
“Absolutely,” Johnson said. “It’s no fun to never cross the red line. You want to get involved at both ends of the ice and try to contribute at both ends. I think that’s what makes the game fun. Just to be a one-sided player, I don’t think it makes it as fun.”
Murray’s faith in Johnson was bolstered by Johnson’s play in the second half of last season. There were consistency issues at times during the first half, but after Johnson returned from the Olympics — he won a silver medal with the United States — and got into the heat of an NHL playoff race, Johnson’s game elevated. This season, he picks up a new regular partner in the steady veteran Rob Scuderi.
“I was kind of reluctant to put Johnson on the left side,” Murray said. “I had him on the right side a few times last year, and I kind of preferred that he play his left side. Then, watching the Olympics, he really thrived. I thought he really stepped his game up, so I feel really good about what I saw.”
Johnson is still young — he won’t turn 24 until January — and is at a point in his career at which young defensemen are still developing. His new partner talked recently about the development of Johnson’s game.
“I think with Jack, I feel the same way I did last year,” Scuderi said. “He’s got a lot of talent. We just have to kind of learn to rope it in at times, and let him do what he can do at the right times. I thought he made big strides last year, playing good, solid defense in his end and, when he can, he can add a lot to the offense. So if he can continue to develop that part of his game, we’re really going to benefit.”
Scuderi said he noticed an evolution in Johnson’s game last season.
“When he came back from the Olympics, I thought he was much more responsible,” Scuderi said. “I thought he made great decisions with the puck. When you’re one of the last two guys back with the puck, you cannot make the big mistake. I thought that’s something he really limited in the second half of last year.”
I guess I had to go to the OHL to see that Toffoli was let go to his ’67′s team He is in the Soo to face off against them tonight. Would be nice if the Kings Oraganization would be up to par on the current roster, eh? Thanks
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andy Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
@mcdangles, This website is a luxury. Do you pay money to read these blog’s? No, so don’t whine when it doesn’t have all the information YOU want on it.
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Oz Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
@mcdangles, Did you really think Toffoli was going to make the team?
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Why do I get the feeling he’s not going to resign with the kings because a different team is going to pay him way more money than we are?
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Kings fan in temecula Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
@andy, i get the same feeling, like its a matter of time
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Mike L Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@andy,
Then we’d get lots of compensation because he’s a RFA
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Harry Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@andy, Welcome to Los Angeles!
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Driller1 Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
@andy, Why do I get the feeling that DL will match the offer sheet with whoever he signs with? Remember, he’s a RFA.
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andy Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
@Driller1, that’s true. still, if it’s too much money dean won’t match it.
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
@andy,
In the sense, your talking ALOT of money to make dean not match. In that sense, any GM to do that would be super stupid, and prob go down as worst GM of the year.
KC23 Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
@andy,
I get that same feeling. I’m thinking he’ll be a Red Wing some day. I hope not, but knowing about his family and Michigan roots it does seem like it will happen.
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@Mike L, I’d rather have Johnson though, you know?
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Jacky boy is gonna walk to a different team after this season. DL will try to match but Johnson will price himself out like Cammy did. His heart just isn’t in the Kings living in the shadow of Doughty.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
@Chaz,
We shall see.
If JmfJ has a MONSTER year, he will deserve the coin.
We shall see.
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Harry Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
@Chaz, I sort of sense that as well…
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Doughty has repeatedly said he wants to be a king and he doesnt want to go anywhere…ive never heard johnson say that. unfortunately i dont see him staying with the kings for long. its a shame, because is an excellent player, im sure he will do much better this year with a good defensive partner and more time on the first PP unit.
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Jack must like the team or he wouldnt play his heart out for us.If he did get traded that kind of effort would bring great compensation.Hope we get done.Hope his agent isnt a factor either.Anyone know who his agent is?
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really? Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
@rumpa#19, his dad.
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Jingo Reply:
September 28th, 2010 at 7:00 am
@really?, His dad? Pretty sure that’s not the case. What is your source?
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Tyler Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
@rumpa#19, Unless he’s playing his heart out for a fat contract.
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Harry Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
@Tyler, Which he is…which also attracts other teams for his presents.
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Chaz Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
@rumpa#19, Dude, you’ve got that WAY wrong. He’s not playing his heart out for The Kings. Rather, he’ll play his heart out this season because he’ll be a RFA and demand a fatty contract or else he’ll threaten to sign elsewhere (which, to be honest, I see him doing).
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If JJ wants to bolt after this year it would be a bad move on his part. The Kings are on the up and up and if his dream is to win a cup then why not stay. I see him signing a 2-3 year deal tho, and think about it when Crosby’s contract is up in 2014 they can choose the team they want to play for. However if both of them end up with the Dead Things I am going to lose it!
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Kingsfan99 Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@shorthanded,
For the last 2 years, it’s been said time and again that JJ is leaving the Kings after this year. Although that posibility exists, it exists for EVERYONE on EVERY team. It happens. Even Wayne Gretzky played for 4 different teams. Plus, it’s not as if JJ is a UFA after this year, he will be a RFA. Even though I expect JJ to improve this year, it doesn’t mean teams are going to throw Ovechkin money at him to poach him from the Kings. DL is committed to his young dudes and I think every REASONABLE effort will be made to keep him. Besides, DL has stock piled the organization with defensemen (Hickey, Tuebert, Voynov, Forbort etc.) So instead of whining and complaining why don’t we just enjoy the upcoming season in addition to JJ’s play. Stop worrying about tomorrow and just enjoy today!
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Shorthanded Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
I realize JJ is an RFA…..I basically was referring to what Cammy pulled a few years back.
Trust me I hope he stays for many years to come because IMO JJ is > Hickey, Tuebert, Voynov, and Forbort combined.
I do enjoy today and I will also worry about tomorrow because I (like many other fans on here) don’t want a team that is a one hit wonder. We all have suffered enough with the lack of success of this franchise. Sorry man as a die-hard fan I care.
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THE_GUV Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
@Shorthanded, Well said brother.
Anyone know if there is going to be a round of cuts today?
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Space_Shot Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@redlights,
Yes, there is the first scheduled round of cuts today. We’ll probably hear about them when they are all done for the day.
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It seems like most GMs are decided not to use offer sheets. Nobody tried to sign Ryan or Neal and both are far undervalued compared to production/potential. I think JJ will resign after the Kings make another Monsterous step toward winning a Cup. Its really obvious the Kings are in better shape then ever, and I am including the Gretzky years because we have depth now. When Gretzky was here with all the older players the window was very short, and nothing was comming out of the farm when injuries hit.
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jackj43 Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
@Luc20rules, Your spot on with your post. Not one single high profile rfa received an offer sheet from another team and neither will jj.
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Johnson is a keeper…people leave rumours daily onsites like hockeybuzz.com…dont read into it…people want him. He did play for the kings over Carolina. I think this ego talk is silly…if anything these two will make each other push harder and become one of the Kings best defensive cores in the league. Bottom line…trust Dean…he isn’t going to go after the Savards… He’s waiting for the next big fish (who cares more about winning then cash). Wait till smyth, williams, mitchell and ponikarosky come off the books…money will be there for the core and the upcoming youth…for the first time in 17 years…i can say we have a shot at the title.
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CanadianKingsFan; Very nice comment,something positive for once.Nothing we are able to control one way or the other.
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