OT: Erik Johnson Retires

[SRV1990]

Obvious ties to the Blues, and not necessarily in a good way:

https://x.com/spittinchiclets/status/19 ... 0069889050

[blues2112]

Bravo, sir.

Solid player for a long time, 1,000-plus games. Still have the SI edition with him on cover. Wrapped in plastic immediately, no page turned. Could have been worth something!

[danno]

Further evidence that only top 5 picks win Stanley cups

[SRV1990]

Further evidence that only top 5 picks win Stanley cups

Yep, and it only took the Blues 13 years to win the Cup after drafting EJ first overall!

[seattleblue]

over under on posts until someone posts "the photo" .. ?

[MrPostman01]

Did he have bad wheels? What? Too soon?

[GCBluesFan]

over under on posts until someone posts "the photo" .. ?

Well, can't resist after that......

[STL fan in MN]

Al MacInnis’s driveway will never be the same again…

Enjoy retirement, EJ! Just…maybe be careful around those golf carts..

[The Average Gatsby]

Al MacInnis’s driveway will never be the same again…

Enjoy retirement, EJ! Just…maybe be careful around those golf carts..

He gets to throw caution to the wind now and drive a golf cart everywhere all the time

[Plagers4Ever]

Oh, c'mon!!! EJ is by far the BEST overall #1 draft pick the Blues have had in their entire history!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hooking]

Oh, c'mon!!! EJ is by far the BEST overall #1 draft pick the Blues have had in their entire history!!!!!!!!!!!

Also the worst!

[BobbyOrr]

Whiffing on a 1st over all pick sets teams back for years....

[SRV1990]

Whiffing on a 1st over all pick sets teams back for years....

So you're saying a top pick like EJ is still a gamble and in no way guarantees success?

[seattleblue]

over under on posts until someone posts "the photo" .. ?

Well, can't resist after that......

These guys must have been around 10% body fat, which is hard to get to in middle age. Trying to get there with discipline & habits. I think this pic has been viewed more than 197 times tho

[Hockey Pete]

Whiffing on a 1st over all pick sets teams back for years....

EJ wasn't a whiff... He led all rookie defenders in 07-08 season in scoring (prior to his injury) on one of the worst scoring teams in the NHL... Oh, and some of those other rookies were Letang, Yandle, Niskanen, etc...

He suffered one of the worst injuries you can get (most don't come back from it) AND THEN played 1000+ games. That's drive and dedication.

There are fewer players I respect more than EJ.

[STL fan in MN]

Whiffing on a 1st over all pick sets teams back for years....

EJ wasn't a whiff... He led all rookie defenders in 07-08 season in scoring (prior to his injury) on one of the worst scoring teams in the NHL... Oh, and some of those other rookies were Letang, Yandle, Niskanen, etc...

He suffered one of the worst injuries you can get (most don't come back from it) AND THEN played 1000+ games. That's drive and dedication.

There are fewer players I respect more than EJ.

Are you saying his knee injury was worse than a typical blown ACL? If so, what are the details on his knee injury that made it so much worse?