| Michael Sonday. 24th September, 2008 - 9:31 pm
 Erik Johnson’s season may have ended before it began as it was revealed on Tuesday that the young defenseman tore his ACL and MCL in an unusual golf cart accident. The loss of Johnson could be devastating to the Blues and will have a direct effect on the team’s success this season.
The injury was first reported to be minor with Johnson rumored to miss only three to five days. On Tuesday Johnson was re-evaluated by the team’s orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rick Wright and Dr. Tony Miniacci and it was determined that the injury was more severe than previously thought. The news could not have come at a worse time as the Blues are set to open their season in two weeks.
The 20-year-old Johnson played in 69 games last season scoring 5 goals and chipping in 28 assists. This season was to be a crucial year of development for the second year defenseman out of the University of Minnesota. Johnson, who was the first pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, was to be an imperative part of the Blues plans this season. The Blues were expecting Johnson to contribute more offensively especially on the power play, which was the worst in the NHL last season.
With the seriousness of the injury there is always a doubt that the player will not return to his original form. Many players have problems mentally recovering from such an injury and subsequently injure other body parts by overcompensating form the original injury. Whether this will be the case for Johnson will be determined but it is sure to leave an uneasy felling in the stomachs of Blues’ fans.
With Johnson out for the year, the Blues need to replace him with an offensive defensemen. The entire Blues defense combined to score a league low 15 goals last year. A trade with the Ducks for Mathieu Schneider would work but would be expensive and not probable. They could sign an available free agent, but it is slim pickings at this point. The most likely candidate to take Johnson's roster spot is Alex Pietrangelo, the fourth overall pick in last June's draft. The move to promote Pietrangelo to the big club would be popular with fans and the Blues would be able to keep a watchful eye on his development.
The Blues Management never planned on hoisting the Stanley Cup this season, but it was important for them to develop their young players. In the long run the injury to Johnson will hurt his own progression and the future of the St. Louis Blues organization. |
