When the Blues traded away team captain Eric Brewer on Friday to the Tampa Bay Lightning, it didn't come as much of a surprise. Brewer, at 31 years of age, was to be a free agent at the end of the season and the Blues needed to salvage some sort of value for the defenseman.
Trading Erik Johnson on Saturday though, was definitely a surprise.
A surprise for everyone. Johnson included.
"I obviously was not expecting this," Johnson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in a text at 2:40 a.m. CT, just hours after the Blues beat the Sabres in Buffalo. "It is tough to leave St. Louis, where I made so many great friends on and off the ice and played for a first-class organization. I am thrilled to be joining the Avalanche organization that has a terrific young team that I can't wait to be a part of."
Johnson, at just 22 years of age, was a frustrating figure for St. Louis this season.
After playing so well when representing Team U.S.A. in the Olympics last winter, Johnson never carried forward that momentum while wearing the Blues sweater.
Johnson has 5 goals and 14 assists on the season.
But his -8 on the season was second worst among Blues defenseman, supporting the claim that his erratic play cost the Blues in too many situations this season.
The Blues get back in return two former first round draft picks. More on them later.
Trading Erik Johnson on Saturday though, was definitely a surprise.
A surprise for everyone. Johnson included.
"I obviously was not expecting this," Johnson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in a text at 2:40 a.m. CT, just hours after the Blues beat the Sabres in Buffalo. "It is tough to leave St. Louis, where I made so many great friends on and off the ice and played for a first-class organization. I am thrilled to be joining the Avalanche organization that has a terrific young team that I can't wait to be a part of."
Johnson, at just 22 years of age, was a frustrating figure for St. Louis this season.
After playing so well when representing Team U.S.A. in the Olympics last winter, Johnson never carried forward that momentum while wearing the Blues sweater.
Johnson has 5 goals and 14 assists on the season.
But his -8 on the season was second worst among Blues defenseman, supporting the claim that his erratic play cost the Blues in too many situations this season.
The Blues get back in return two former first round draft picks. More on them later.
The trade seemed to work out alright last night against ANH....we shall see how it plays out...
ReplyDeleteHopefully Bishop is starting against CHI on Monday..
SB