Ross Johnston

[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.

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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

[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.

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

You can’t teach a prospect how to fore check effectively? You’re kidding right?

[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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

[netboy65]

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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

I see all sides of this, but the fact is that we don’t have a physical presence on this team and Steen wanted them to be tougher to play against. None of our prospects/suspects can play that role outside of MAYBE Peterson. If you want someone who is blocking prospects, it’s Walker. Love the little guy, but he doesn’t bring much to this team.

And disagree that physical 4th liners are dinosaurs. Goons like Twist, yes. 4th liners that pound the opposition, force defensemen to rush plays, and when needed can jump into a scrum with the big boys instead of the Neighbours, Schenn’s and Tucker’s of the world getting killed. As a prime example, just look at Nicolas Deslauriers in Carolina. They raved about what he brought to the Canes after the trade last year, and they just signed him for another 2 years at age 35. If Johnston were blocking a legit difference maker, I’d be on board with not having him, but we don’t have any of those right now, at least not who are cut out for 4th line duty and achieve Steens stated goal of making the team harder to play against.

[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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

Johnston isn’t blocking Kaskimaki

[son_of_foolsgold]

The biggest waste of coin, dollar for dollar, ever undertaken by this franchise.

[noted]

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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

Yet the team that just won the Stanley Cup felt the need to trade for and then resign Nick Deslauriers. Maybe leave some things to the experts…

[Cahokanut]

I'm amazed how many are fans of this move.
It makes no sense in today's game.
What blows my mind is the reason some give to cheer on this below the grade move.

To fight other teams goon. Problem is only a couple other teams have one dimensional goons. And we'll play them less then ten games.

His physicality. Yes having a fourth liner chasing hits and being late or slow on plays. Is what every bottom of the bubble needs to scare other teams fourth liners who will out skate out goon.
So our talent doesn't get smacked around. Like some other teams going to look at the bench and think I better not hit the guy that can play in the offensive zone. Because then a goon might come out and get a extra penalty trying to get them back.

None are the real reason.
Here's really why.
One. Steen is a [kittycat]. While he was playing he wanted a tough guy to say, get'em to if another hit him hard and he believes others who never had a goon on their teams are as weak.
Two. Management doesn't believe the team has the talent to sell real hockey to the locals.
Three. Management thinks locals don't know what hockey looks like and come to see boys being grabbed, held, and hit by others.
Four. The new boss like the old one. Doesn't trust youth.
Five Because if they don't spend all available to spend, the money might be taken away.

[Francis Park Thug]

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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

Players need protection.
This is a need and something the Blues were missing.

[Old_Goat]

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

I see all sides of this, but the fact is that we don’t have a physical presence on this team and Steen wanted them to be tougher to play against. None of our prospects/suspects can play that role outside of MAYBE Peterson. If you want someone who is blocking prospects, it’s Walker. Love the little guy, but he doesn’t bring much to this team.

And disagree that physical 4th liners are dinosaurs. Goons like Twist, yes. 4th liners that pound the opposition, force defensemen to rush plays, and when needed can jump into a scrum with the big boys instead of the Neighbours, Schenn’s and Tucker’s of the world getting killed. As a prime example, just look at Nicolas Deslauriers in Carolina. They raved about what he brought to the Canes after the trade last year, and they just signed him for another 2 years at age 35. If Johnston were blocking a legit difference maker, I’d be on board with not having him, but we don’t have any of those right now, at least not who are cut out for 4th line duty and achieve Steens stated goal of making the team harder to play against.

It's hard to score when you are constantly looking over your shoulder.
I'm not sure there was any other team in the NHL that was not looking forward to come into Enterprise Center for a game the past few years.

[netboy65]

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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

Players need protection.
This is a need and something the Blues were missing.

Then tell them to wear a condom. In the meantime, let’s get guys that can actually play hockey

[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.

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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

Yet the team that just won the Stanley Cup felt the need to trade for and then resign Nick Deslauriers. Maybe leave some things to the experts…

He’s insurance in case of injury for the Canes and he’s cheap. Point is these guys are paid too much to play in the A including Johnston. Thus you block younger guys from moving to the roster unless there’s injury. Plus the club doesn’t think much of their prospects if NOONE can come in to play a forechecking role for 10 min a game.

[netboy65]

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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

Yet the team that just won the Stanley Cup felt the need to trade for and then resign Nick Deslauriers. Maybe leave some things to the experts…

Because they can afford to, like you said, they just won the Cup. We need all the talent we can get, not some one dimensional oaf.

[noted]

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

Soooo….none of your high draft picks acquired or drafted are better than this guy whose role is being phased out in the NHL. Speaks volumes about the scouting and analysis in the organization

Which high draft picks do you think are are going to be competing for a 4th line role with Ross Johnston?

I’d rather see a guy like Kasamaki get a shot than some goon like Johnston. Goons are dinosaurs in this league now.

Yet the team that just won the Stanley Cup felt the need to trade for and then resign Nick Deslauriers. Maybe leave some things to the experts…

Because they can afford to, like you said, they just won the Cup. We need all the talent we can get, not some one dimensional oaf.

So now you are just going to move the goalposts…ok. You sound like a perpetual complainer. Time to disengage.

[DawgDad]

This has devolved into one of the DUMBEST threads I've seen, all over a fourth line role player. News flash: Hockey teams have ROLES. Roles, for different situations and styles of play, and for distributing ice time.

Cahokanut's post reads like a comic book. And, if they thought Kaskimaki could play Johnston's role they wouldn't have signed the guy. If you strongly disagree with management about how they want to construct the roster, well, feel free to apply for the GM job, or keep bashing your head on the wall.