Ross Johnston

[dhsux]

So it seems to me so many of the various lines I've seen put up on this board over the past near month there's been a repeated omission of one Ross Johnston.....granted many line projections do not include the third and fourth lines.

I believe we all are thinking this is a smart and good move to bring him on and all he represents to help out the team as a whole but the guy is going to have to play 10-12 minutes a night for some 60 plus games to have impact......is that correct?

Anyway, chemistry is the ticket for this coming seasons Blues team to make a play off run. We all love the idea of Johnston....but does his actual hockey play support a dynamic and impactful 4th line?

Would appreciate the input from ya'll on this player and what you expect.

[DawgDad]

Expect? Frequent trips to the penalty box. 60 games? Seems high.

[Whatashame]

Obviously a 4th liner. I would think we might see him 40-50 games this year but I will reserve judgement. Let’s wait and see how Monty puts this thing together and how it meshes.

[dhsux]

Expect? Frequent trips to the penalty box. 60 games? Seems high.

So...he's a goon?

How many games you see from Monty?

I'm being sincere here. The board lit up when we landed him then no one pencils him in. Is he 30 games? 40?

[zamadoo]

82 games, pending injury or suspension

[Pierre McGuire]

He’s gonna play…a lot. This team has needed a player like him for awhile.

[STL fan in MN]

4th liner that won’t score much, will hit, fight and cause problems. Hopefully won’t take too many penalties where someone from the other team isn’t going with him but he does take a lot of penalties. My guess is he plays around 50 games.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

They didn’t sign him for 3yrs and $2m per year to sit on the bench all season. He’s a big, mean 4th liner with very little actual hockey skill. For reference, his career high in points was last year with 14 points, but he has played in 60+ games two of the last three years and 40+ the other year.

He can skate though, will hit anything in sight and hit it hard, and will take on anyone if needed. He’s a heavyweight in the league. May not win them all, but he plays a role we’ve needed on the 4th line. In other words, he’s a less tough version of Ryan Reaves is the best I can explain him. Reavo has played over 70 games only 3 or 4 times in his 16 year career, while hitting 20 points one time in his career. They play similar roles, other than Reaves was the leagues most feared fighter for quite a few years. Johnston isn’t at that fear level, but he’ll run some guys and become a fan favorite in his 8-10 minutes per game.

[TBone]

He’s gonna play…a lot. This team has needed a player like him for awhile.

Hopefully his presence gives the rest of the team the extra spine to play a little chippier.

[Bluesbacker]

A player such as Johnston has been severly missing and needed for the past several years. As long as he can take someone to the box more often than not when he goes, his penalties won't be such a big deal. Having Johnston in the game will go a long way towards making our younger players a little more comfortable with their game.

[STLinCHI]

We'll only see it if injuries occur but a 4th line of Johnston-Walker-Toro would be pain to play against.

[dhsux]

He’s a big, mean 4th liner with very little actual hockey skill.

TB I really did laugh when I read this line.

[Bacchk29]

Expect? Frequent trips to the penalty box. 60 games? Seems high.

So...he's a goon?

How many games you see from Monty?

I'm being sincere here. The board lit up when we landed him then no one pencils him in. Is he 30 games? 40?

He blocks a roster spot for a prospect in our system. Nothing more.

[Backesdraft]

Expect? Frequent trips to the penalty box. 60 games? Seems high.

So...he's a goon?

How many games you see from Monty?

I'm being sincere here. The board lit up when we landed him then no one pencils him in. Is he 30 games? 40?

He blocks a roster spot for a prospect in our system. Nothing more.

Which younger player can do what RJ does/is expected to do what RJ does?

[Pierre McGuire]

Expect? Frequent trips to the penalty box. 60 games? Seems high.

So...he's a goon?

How many games you see from Monty?

I'm being sincere here. The board lit up when we landed him then no one pencils him in. Is he 30 games? 40?

He blocks a roster spot for a prospect in our system. Nothing more.

They signed him to a 3 year deal…that’s how badly Steen thought his presence was needed. His role blocks nobody of importance in the organization for a 4th line role

[Harry S Deals]

Expect? Frequent trips to the penalty box. 60 games? Seems high.

So...he's a goon?

How many games you see from Monty?

I'm being sincere here. The board lit up when we landed him then no one pencils him in. Is he 30 games? 40?

He blocks a roster spot for a prospect in our system. Nothing more.

They signed him to a 3 year deal…that’s how badly Steen thought his presence was needed. His role blocks nobody of importance in the organization for a 4th line role

It's gonna be funny to watch how the sentiment changes when fans see this guy on the fore check. Blues have been milquetoast easy to play against Steen wasn't having it. Also noted is RJs locker room presence, hold guys accountable