As long as Drew Doughty remains unsigned and out of training camp, the Kings’ highest-profile defensive pairing will be that of Jack Johnson and Rob Scuderi. Those two have been partners, off and on, for the past two seasons and, according to Terry Murray, this is a big season for Johnson to take a step forward. Johnson totaled a career-high 42 points last season, but his infamous and oft-debated plus-minus rating went from minus-15 to minus-21. Murray talked about Johnson’s development last season and what he would like to see from the defenseman in 2011-12…
MURRAY: “He took some big strides early. In the first half, he was one of the top-scoring defensemen in the league. I thought his play without the puck was really good. He tailed off in the second part. That plus-minus number is something that I look at, and it started to build up again. To me, when I look at his game, I think he got away from being a real hard player to play against, in the sense of being physical. That’s one of the areas that I wanted to talk to him at the end of the season (about), and he was out of town right away for the World Championships. So I haven’t had that meeting yet, but that will be the message. `It’s time to get back to being that hard guy, making sure you’re pinning and sealing.’ And I think that ends the play. Too often, in the second half, there was a little bit of stick-checking and backing off, giving a little bit too much space. Because he’s out there against the top guys, and that’s all those guys need, is one foot to make a play and things were happening around him.”
Just say it TM.
JMFJ needs to come out and dominate!
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Scott Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@gboi, Uhhh Terry, his boards work isn’t the problem. You have a Dman who thinks just because he is standing next to an NHL forward that he is covered. There were too many times I saw JJ stand next to a guy in front of Quickie and the guy got the puck and scored while being looked at (not touched) by JJ. JJ needs to learn how to tie-up a guy in front of the next.
While yes there was an improvement in JJ’s game from 2 years ago to last season. Last season he accidently found himself in front of the net (where he was suppose to be) about 25%-50% opposed 0%-20% two years ago. If Murray wants JJ to be a scoring threat and a tough guy to get around he should have JJ watch tape of Weber. If he wants him to be tougher Scott Stevens was the best at that. Why do you think Broduer has had such a great career?
I hope JJ plays better. If he and Penner play like every wants them to, LA will be scary good this year.
Go Kings Go!
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JFMJ, play “Heavy”, “Hard”, and “Gritty”.
signed, TM
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tornado12 Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Belexes, normally I would just laugh at a post like that (and I did), but in this case, it is EXACTLY what we need out of JJ if he is going to improve in his own end.
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Belexes Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@tornado12,
Yeah, it’s funny how we all know exactly what TM wants out of a player, even if he doessn’t fully express it himself. Maybe at the end of this season some insiders can take part in the player exit interviews to make sure all pertinent points are covered!
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tornado12 Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@Belexes, LOL, now thats just plain funny!
Stang Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@Belexes, Yeah, like asking the pillsbury donut boy if he’s gonna show up to camp on time and in shape, or if he’s gonna show up at all.
I dont think anyone doubts JJs talent in the offensive zone- his real issue seems to be his decision making behind his own blue line. I seem to remember at least 4 occasions last year when he turned the puck over in front of the net causing an unassisted goal. Fixing easy mistakes like that will boost his +/-. If JJ improves his defensive game to match his offensive game then we might just have two DDs by the end of next season.
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Well, well, well, I was wondering when Rich would talk to Terry Murray about this. And for some of you who think -36 the last seasons when we have been a playoff team, and one of the better defensive teams is no big deal, wellll…you just heard it from a guy who is stickler when it comes to defense and HE is CONCERNED to a degree.
Remember this, we are not talking about minus 10 over the last 2 seasons, we are talking about -36, TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE and he needs it to come down to respectable levels or he wont be here too much longer despite his huge upside.
Bottom line JJ has way too much talent to be a combined minus 82 in 4 NHL seasons. This is not Brian Benning we are talking about, this is JMFJ ! CMON MAN GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER !
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ArmChairKingsFan Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
@puck73,
Concerned TO A DEGREE.The big thing to look for is his age and his develoment. He took a huge dip in the second half last season, all part of the learning curve for a young D-man. However, he prove he loves to step up to the challenge, as he did when DD was out an JJ just took over. If presented to him as a challenge, I can see JJ playing like he did at the start of last season year round.
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vplaza Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@ArmChairKingsFan,
Especially if DD isn’t playing when the season starts. JJ will most likely step up.
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Cynic Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@puck73, +/- has always been one of those funky stats because they are not player specific. It’s relative as much to his linemates as it is to the player. I usually take it with a grain of salt most times and look for the individual flaws to hammer on.
I do think though if you are going to use the +/- stat to harness a player’s abilities, it has to be done over the long term. It’s still relative, but if you see 5-7 seasons of piss poor +/-, it weighs a little heavier than just a few seasons.
That being said, it does not take away from the fact that Jack has been a liability at times defensively and it has cost us some goals. I’d rather look at it that way than at his +/-.
To answer the question though, YES. Emphatically. I think JJ knows his liabilities and with his new contract and the way he conducts himself and business, I believe he is going to work EXTREMELY hard to show he is worth his contract. Not to mention he is very competitive.
My guess is he’ll be a +10 or more this season. Call it a hunch, and I don’t mean he’ll reach it early in the season and get injured for the rest of it either (Throws salt over shoulder, tapes up mirrors in house, paints black cat white)
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Chris Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@puck73,
Johnson is not going anywhere….
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puck73 Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@Chris, Thats what Barry Melrose thought about Daryl Sydor. Thank god Rogie Vachon finally fired his ass and then next season got rid of “The Tin Man” once and for all !
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vplaza Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@puck73,
Hey, hey, that name is for Penner from last year. Maybe he’s no Tin Man this year, but hey.
Osaka Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@puck73, Rogie wasn’t GM.
nykingfan Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@puck73,
I would use the term “to a degree” as well.
A minus can stem from a lot of things…jumping on the ice or not getting off the ice in time. A bad play by either a teammate or the goalie…
The problem is when you’re -36 that becomes too much of a coincidence that it’s all bad luck. The team as a whole keeps the puck out of its own net, so when a guy is that poor in that particular stat, I guess it is alarming..to a point!
I think in general, the play of JJ needs to pick up and become more consistant. when he’s on, he can dominate. when he’s not, it can get really ugly out there. He’s been in the league long enough that a lot of those mistakes should be elimminated.
Time will tell, but with DD out, he better be playing great!
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Puckn-A Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
@nykingfan, We also must consider every single point that JMFJ had on the Power Play (which lead the entire team) did not go towards a plus in his stat column.
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@puck73 where are you? C’mon Rich you came up with this one just to get puck’s blood pressure up, right?!
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@Shotongoal, That’s exactly what I thought. I can hear Mike saying Jack “heart attack” Johnson.
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vplaza Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@Shotongoal,
LOL, he just beat you to it. And while Poorman has his thing for JQ, seems others have theirs for JJ.
The Plus/Minus is a concern, but not the tell all, end all, be all for JJ. That isn’t all he’s contributing to the team. I think he will improve on it, especially if his long term contract doesn’t have an NTC.
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DesertKing Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Shotongoal,
You know what they call JMFJ bringing the puck up the ice? The “Jack-Jack Attack” a la “The Incredibles.”
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He also needs to work on positioning. He is a good skater, there is no reason he should not be on the ice where he needs to be and adjust properly. His +/- is so bad because he has been a liability 5 on 5. He excels in the power play, where he gets his points, but until he can be more responsible, which I believe he can be as he is still young and learning, his +/- will not improve.
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Deke'r Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@Scott in Temecula, Hopefully he can learn, heard he’s not the brightest crayon in the box but have never met him personally, so will wait till I do to pass judgement.
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DesertKing Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@Deke’r,
He has a degree in business from Michigan and negotiated his own 7-year multi-million dollar contract. I think that at least qualifies him to be in the “bright” section of the crayon box and borderline with the “neon” section, but definitely not in the faux or earthtones sections.
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Ian Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@DesertKing, If we win the cup he’ll glow in the freakin’ dark.
Deke'r Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@DesertKing, Well I have a degree in business earned while playing football so I’m not sure how that equates to “learning”, and as far as negotiating his own contract, if he liked what they were presenting all he had to do was agree….I’m just sayin….
DesertKing Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@Deke’r
I was responding to your comment that you heard he was “not the brightest crayon in the box.” To accomplish a business degree at Michigan and negotiate a contract of the complexity of a 7 year multi-million dollar deal is something a vast majority of the population could not do. He obviously “learned” something to be able to accomplish those tasks. As far as hockey, the fact that he is being paid millions of dollars to play his sport indicates that he has had a very positive learning curve reference hockey and the ability to apply those lessons. The fact that he is a professional hockey player in the NHL and represented our country in international hockey tournaments and received a silver medal in the Olympics would indicate to me that he is one of the “brightist crayons in the hockey crayon box.” Unfortunately, I have been relegated too the portion of the hockey crayon box with the dark crayons and let you figure out why I am there
Deke'r Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
@DesertKing, I hear ya man…….I was just sayin I hope he hasn’t reached the pinnacle of his learning curve.
Dear Jack,
Time to drop the hammer. Bring the pain.
Signed,
Kings Fans Everywhere
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!!!!JMFJ!!!!
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KILL JACK, KILL!
I hope he works on his hockey IQ… He has all the tools, but he just needs to work on knowing when to pick his spots. Jumping into the offense and staying back. He just needs to make smarter decisions. Still, I think he’s progressing nicely.
As far as DD1 goes, give Slava Voynov a chance to play w/Willie Mitchell and see how that pairing works… would love to see the Kings give it a go…
GO KINGS GO!
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puck73 Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
@mash-ola, I would like to see what Voynov could do as well playing with one of the best shutdown dmen in the NHL.
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No! But it will be a better minus season. We’ll also improve from 5th in goals against but JJ will get no credit for that either since offensively he’ll score more, but all his points will come on the power play.
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puck73 Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@Dominick, This time you heard it from Terry Murray, a guy that has forgotten more about hockey then all of us on the blog will ever know.
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I’m definitely pulling for JJ to have a career year this year. The plus/minus stat will be what it will be (though I think he’ll improve on it), but I prefer to look at the player from all aspects. He handled his contract situation well and he provides needed offense. He has to make better decisions defensively, but again, I think that will come.
The net is that so far, his offense has balanced out whatever defensive deficiencies he has. If he gets rid of those deficiencies, then watch out. I’d rather see that happen as a King as opposed to as a member of some other team (since many seem to want to get rid of him).
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When DL was in SJ and offered contracts to Nabokob and Stuart, what happen? Did the sign the orginal contract that was offered or recieved more money?
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JMFJ is in camp signed long term, its already a plus year.
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Shakes Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@King Doughnuts,
+1
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Will preseason games be streamed like they were last year?
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I can overlook his flaws when I think of what the powerplay will eventually become with Doughty and Johnson in their prime. Not many guys will be serving their full 2 minutes. If only we could get that “Doughty” part figured out.
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11 days to Frozen Fury (woo hooo). Hey DD, you can’t miss out on the Vegas trip!
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red49er Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@DesertKing, If the Kings can’t persuade him to be there maybe a good old fashion Las vegas buffet will.
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DesertKing Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@red49er,
Good idea! Or maybe any one of the other 100 thiings in Vegas that would be appealing to a 21-year-old male?
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I really think it’s time to retire the JMFJ moniker. Not intended as a knock as I generally like his play although I agree w/ what Murray said. But he’s done little in his NHL career to deserve any type of “bad boy” nick name.
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puck73 Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@JB, Well, he certainly cant knock the wind out of people with a clean hip check, or butt check like Rob Blake. Blake would take people out so clean that players would literally crawl back to the bench while gasping for breath.
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tornado12 Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
@puck73, exhibit A your honor
video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=81547
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red49er Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@JB, He needs too drop the gloves every now and then, live up to that rep. he had when he got here.
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Ian Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@JB, I think he’s too worried about being out of position to play as nasty as he used to. When the positioning becomes second nature the real JMFJ will be revealed. I can’t think of too many physical offensive D-men that step in and have success.
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the potential is there. if you dont believe me, ask ryan smyth… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjb9Xy2UnWc
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I’m changing my name from Chris. Too many other Chris’ on this site
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He also needs to tie up forwards sticks in front of the net during rebound opportunities. That’s a huge reason for his MINUS rating.
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The boy is awesome but he needs to turn it on. I wanna see him level a guy or two. Put the MF back in JMFJ!
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No.
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