News On Johnson Expected Today - UPDATED

by Brad Lee on Sep 23, 2008 12:35 AM CDT

Hey EJ, there's a photographer over your shoulder. Be cool. Don't look.

By Brad Lee

THIRD UPDATE: Jeremy Rutherford is now saying that it's six to nine months, which obviously means he'll miss the whole season.

SECOND UPDATE: Friend Tim McKernan at InsideSTL.com says a Blues source has told him Erik Johnson has a torn ligament in his right knee and could be out up to three months.

Discuss.

FIRST UPDATE: According to the Post's Jeremy Rutherford, there is some damage to his knee and he will be out for awhile:

It ain't pretty.

Johnson has some damage to the knee, but just how much won't be determined until today. The Blues are 95 percent sure they know what they're looking at, but don't want to confirm it until Johnson gets a second MRI. There is still some gray area in this equation, so while Johnson is expected to miss significant time, there's also a chance that he'll be able to rehab the injury and be back sooner than later.
Well that's no freaking good. We'll have more later. Save yourself the trouble, start drinking now.

***

The Blues' season surely doesn't ride on the outcome of a single MRI on a 20-year-old, but it kind of feels like it.

For the Blues to compete this season, they need to get better on the power play. They need a better transition game. They need to play smarter in their own end. A healthy Erik Johnson would be a big part of that possible improvement. A defenseman who still can't legally buy beer in St. Louis in his second season won't cure all the team's woes, but it would be nice to watch him continue learning on the job and benefitting from a full NHL season under his belt. That's why this report from Norm Sanders at the Belleville News Democrat is so troubling.

I caught up with Blues President John Davidson on Monday night at Kansas City's sprakling Sprint Center, where the Blues played their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Kings. Davidson said Johnson will seek a second opinion on his injured right knee Tuesday in Cleveland at the office of Dr. Tony Miniacci.

Miniacci of the Cleveland Clinic, who also performed Johnson's shoulder surgery during the offseason, will provide his own diagnosis to go with the one the Blues already have from their own medical staff.

The Blues are expected to make an announcement Tuesday on the status of one of the franchise cornerstones of the future.

"He's going to go up there tomorow," Blues President John Davidson said before the team’s preseason opener. "The swelling has come out of the knee pretty well, which is a good sign. But we want to get a good clear understanding of how the knee is, and then an undertsanding of where we go from there.

"I'm not going to say more now because it just creates speculation."

Second opinion? Not wanting to create speculation? That can't be good. As you know, Johnson got hurt getting out of a golf cart last week. He finished the golf round, but then experienced a lot of swelling. It was that fluid in the knee that clouded the initial MRI and made this second MRI necessary.

We'll update this when we hear from Davidson. Feel free to wring your hands, make your dire predictions and generally bitch about the luck of the franchise in the comments.

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Comments

Tavares!

by Marcus Pettersson on Sep 23, 2008 3:24 AM CDT reply actions

More proof that being a Blues fan is the hockey equivalent of being a Cubs fan

by baroose on Sep 23, 2008 7:01 AM CDT reply actions

baroose, wash your mouth out with soap. Fuck the Cubs.

by Brad Lee on Sep 23, 2008 8:51 AM CDT reply actions

this sure is Big Johnson news.

by Gift on Sep 23, 2008 9:55 AM CDT reply actions

Atleast the Johnson swelling has subsided.

by Stlchapman on Sep 23, 2008 9:56 AM CDT reply actions

Did JR really use the letters a-i-n and t together?

There’s some journalism for yous.

by Gift on Sep 23, 2008 10:04 AM CDT reply actions

Oh my. Our ability to win the Stanley Cup may be impinged this year!

This type of thing happens everywhere all the time. It sucks because EJ’s a lot of fun to watch out on the ice, but we will live.

Lets just be thankful the kid was playing golf and not riding a motorcycle.

by Rich Horton on Sep 23, 2008 10:20 AM CDT reply actions

“…and not riding a motorcycle”

I disagree — since motorcycles don’t have accelerator pedals, this whole thing would have been avoided.

by Mr. Particle on Sep 23, 2008 10:59 AM CDT reply actions

Shot at quarterback Big Ben and his rearranged face out of nowhere.

by Brad Lee on Sep 23, 2008 11:52 AM CDT reply actions

“Lets just be thankful the kid was playing golf and not riding a motorcycle.”

It’s not the end of the franchise as we know it. The last time I checked, the ’Note was pretty deep at D.

by JGB on Sep 23, 2008 12:13 PM CDT reply actions

does this mean he is now erik “cartman” johnson?

screw the vista get his number and cartman!

do it! you know you want to…..

by Childhood Trauma on Sep 23, 2008 1:03 PM CDT reply actions

so his johnson is so big it presses the gas while he presses the brake

by Childhood Trauma on Sep 23, 2008 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

This sucks, but lets face it. The Blues are going to be terrible this year. The only really bad news about all of this is that Johnson will miss a year of development and I hear that the number 1 pick in next year’s draft isn’t all that special.

by Nacho Philosophy! on Sep 23, 2008 2:21 PM CDT reply actions

Oh yeah, & it would have been alot nicer if this would have happened to Eric Brewer instead.

Geez that guy really sucks & then he gets rewarded for sucking by being named Captain.

by Nacho Philosophy! on Sep 23, 2008 2:23 PM CDT reply actions

Chrysler plant here I come!

Wait ain’t it closed already?

Doesn’t this increase the chancesof Petro making the team?

Oh well, it’s not like we were going to win it all this year.

by brian on Sep 23, 2008 3:00 PM CDT reply actions

Nacho – I suppose I’ve come to view the Brewer captaincy like this:

Clearly, the Blues received test results following a routine medical examination that Eric Brewer could drop dead any second, and thus decided to bestow the highest honor that a franchise could to one of its players by giving him the “C”. Surely (Shirley), after he passed, they would then pass the mantle to Jackman.

It took weeks for doctors to finally determine that Eric Brewer’s condition is not, in fact, life threatening, but only threatens his ability to not fall flat on his ass for no apparent reason on every other shift.

by The Fantasy Files on Sep 23, 2008 3:31 PM CDT reply actions

Us being forced to use Brewer to quarter back the PP, Yikes…

by ramtheory on Sep 23, 2008 4:07 PM CDT reply actions

Nacho Philosophy! wrote:

This sucks, but lets face it. The Blues are going to be terrible this year.

Bullshit.

The only really bad news about all of this is that Johnson will miss a year of development…

Also very probably bullshit… he’s most likely not going to be out for the whole year

…and I hear that the number 1 pick in next year’s draft isn’t all that special.

Also bullshit; unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know damn well that Tavares and Hedman are both rated well above average.

Take the “sky is falling” stuff to The Asylum, where it fits in. I know it’s “cool” to be all negative, all the time, but enough is enough.

by Game Time Prospect Department on Sep 23, 2008 4:09 PM CDT reply actions

New update up top. Johnson expected to miss up to three months according to Tim McKernan of Team 1380 and InsideSTL.

by Brad Lee on Sep 23, 2008 4:10 PM CDT reply actions

Seriously? Oh man, he is in Dog House. A fucking golf cart accident? Cart-Gate? What are we calling this nonsense?

If I were playing against him, he’d never hear the end of it.

by answer man on Sep 23, 2008 4:27 PM CDT reply actions

Who has the more lame injury:

Eric Johnson and his golf cart mis-hap,

Vince Coleman and the tarp incident.

by stlchapman on Sep 23, 2008 4:28 PM CDT reply actions

Oh, and THREE MONTHS!?!?!?! Fuck Detroit.

by stlchapman on Sep 23, 2008 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

Further proof that there is no God when Eeej misses significant time and Cam Janssen somehow still infects the earth.

by The Fantasy Files on Sep 23, 2008 4:35 PM CDT reply actions

Who’d have thought we be down to NO Johnsons this year (well, to start it anyway).

Any Johnsons available in the system or to sign?

by Mr. Particle on Sep 23, 2008 4:47 PM CDT reply actions

Does this mean no Big Johnson jokes for 3 months??? I don’t know if I can handle this!!!!!

by J Stats on Sep 23, 2008 4:51 PM CDT reply actions

Actually, I think that this would only add fuel to the ‘Johnson Joke of the Day’ fire, if anything.

by The Fantasy Files on Sep 23, 2008 4:53 PM CDT reply actions

Now EJ can ride one of these for a while:

http://www.rascalscooters.com/index.cfm/mobility/products.detail/scooter/655/id/50

Note the list of cool options.

by Mr. Particle on Sep 23, 2008 5:13 PM CDT reply actions

You gotta look at the Blues’ turnaround as a marathon, not a sprint. Losing the kid for 3 months + sucks, but he’s going to be here a long time. More important to get fixted right, rather than hurry back and do more damage.

That said, next year someone else drives the fucking cart.

I’d have an easier time with this if it came in a hockey playbecause at least I’d have someone to be mad at for a cheap shot. Kinda hard to be mad at a golf cart.

by gallagher on Sep 23, 2008 5:48 PM CDT reply actions

Quick question- Worst case scenario, it’s an ACL tear and he’s out the whole season, never plays a game, does that still burn a year off of his contract putting him one year away from RFA status? Because that would really suck, for a variety of reasons I don’t have to explain.

How do you guys feel about Schneider? I figure even if the Blues bomb this season, they’ll still be able to sell him at the deadline for more than they traded for him in the first place.

by Manbones on Sep 23, 2008 5:57 PM CDT reply actions

well the improtant thing about this new developement is

are we running johnson jokes in abstentia

or the eric brewer robot joke of the day

there are only 10 kinds of people in the world, those who understand bianry and those who don’t

What’s the difference between a regular robot and a killer robot?
The killer robot drives a porche

by Childhood Trauma on Sep 23, 2008 6:06 PM CDT reply actions

OH NOES!! The season is over!!1

Bring on Peter…Pieter……Peterandjello.

Its not like we were going to make the playoffs with Johnson playing anyway.

Lets Go Blues!

by LosBri on Sep 23, 2008 6:11 PM CDT reply actions

THERE IS NO GOD!

by Greg on Sep 23, 2008 6:11 PM CDT reply actions

OH MY GOD!!!! The sky is falling!!

by Marcus Pettersson on Sep 23, 2008 6:23 PM CDT reply actions

qq losbri that cart pwned ej so now its peterangelo ftw!

by Childhood Trauma on Sep 23, 2008 6:29 PM CDT reply actions

As a Rangers fan I can only offer you guys a hug because this flat out sucks. Think of it this way, at least Backman is in Columbus now.

by Kyle on Sep 23, 2008 6:34 PM CDT reply actions

A torn ACL from a golf cart…there is no justice in the world

by Poor College Student on Sep 23, 2008 8:32 PM CDT reply actions

If tonight’s first period is any indication, Orangello may fit in nicely here this season. There is hope, folks! I echo the Schneider comment. Let’s rent him for a year.

by Milo on Sep 23, 2008 8:34 PM CDT reply actions

Listening to the game tonight KMOX just played the Whatever it Takes spot w/ Eric Johnson. Well “it takes” you not drinking and jumping off a moving golf cart! It’s frustrating but he’s young and shit happens.

I wish the Team had better veteran leadership and someone would step up and maybe stopped the horseplay on the golf carts.

And Coach please don’t pressure the Captain. Brewer can’t handle anymore responsibility. He hardly is effective at the Blueline.

Still excited about the Season. However, Checketts should not overpay for a rental D-man.

I’ve always liked this site but mentioning Tim Mckernan…only acceptable if you add Douchebag next to his name.

by Mo'FiZZLe on Sep 23, 2008 9:10 PM CDT reply actions

A.PIETRANGELO (2) assists so far… I hope to hell this is telling us something! For the record I like Brewer he is what he is. He plays defense. We always expect more and hopefully he can prove us wrong. Still doesn’t stop me form poking fun at him. haha

Go Blues!!! This is going to be an interesting season. You got to still be optimistic… If your not you are one of those on again, off again Hawks fan…

by ramtheory on Sep 23, 2008 9:24 PM CDT reply actions

I will never look at a golf cart the same… They must make them in D-troit.

Fuck Detroit!!!

by ramtheory on Sep 23, 2008 9:26 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe next year there will be a thing in the Boy(e)s contracts that says they can only play golf if they walk?? and Fuck Detroit

by J Stats on Sep 23, 2008 9:35 PM CDT reply actions

Beginning of the third. No changed opinion.

Something to add— Bishop looks good. Also, Sean Avery is a douche nozzle.

Red Berenson Cowboy is atop his perch in sec 307.

by Milo on Sep 23, 2008 9:37 PM CDT reply actions

Angelllllllllllllllllllllla is still with us.

Lucky skate ended in the starting skate.

by Milo on Sep 23, 2008 9:41 PM CDT reply actions

I promise to give everybody credit for their comments in my column when I talk about the “catastrophe” that losing a 20 year old defenseman on a team that isn’t supposed to make the playoffs is.

by Chris Gift on Sep 23, 2008 9:51 PM CDT reply actions

Sean Avery is a festering, maggot-ridden piece of shit.

That is all.

by Brian Weidler on Sep 23, 2008 9:57 PM CDT reply actions

Boyes: 1 G, 1 A
McDonald: 1 G, 1 A
Pietrangelo: 0 G, 2 A
Stempniak: 1 G, 1 A

This looks good.

by Brian Weidler on Sep 23, 2008 9:59 PM CDT reply actions

Sean Avery apparently following in Eric Lindros’ shoes. Fucking goons

by J Stats on Sep 23, 2008 10:07 PM CDT reply actions

Take the "sky is falling" stuff to The Asylum, where it fits in. I know it’s "cool" to be all negative, all the time, but enough is enough.

HIGH-FIVE

I’m so sick of that negative bs. They always come back with “I’m a realist.” Well, I’m a fucking dreamer, so keep that negative shit to yourself.

/end random rant about excessively-negative-closet-detroit-fans

by Dan on Sep 23, 2008 10:12 PM CDT reply actions

They may say you’re a dreamer but you aren’t the only one

by J Stats on Sep 23, 2008 10:13 PM CDT reply actions

ACL and MCL. This blows on so many levels, but I’m not that worried. If it would have been Stempie or Boy(es) I would be shitting bricks. This franchise for some reason has always been stocked in the "d’ department.

Even though they may be heartbroken over that injury, the ’Note, for no reason what-so-ever should not rush the development of Pietrangelo.

by JGB on Sep 23, 2008 10:42 PM CDT reply actions

if it wasn’t for us negative, realist, fuckin dreamin die-hard blues fans this site would suck…

chest bump

F-U-C-K D-troit

PIETRANGELO, I say if the kid can play at this level. Let him play! Lets see what happens. EJ will only make next season even better when it is PIETRANGELO sophomore year…

by ramtheory on Sep 23, 2008 11:21 PM CDT reply actions

Just got back from the game and I have to say:

Fuck Ott
Cam “worthless” Janssen is a waste of a roster space. And will be a fan favourite.
Fuck Avery
I need more beer.
Fuck Avery and Ott

by LosBri on Sep 23, 2008 11:23 PM CDT reply actions

Oh yeah

FUCK BARCH

by LosBri on Sep 23, 2008 11:50 PM CDT reply actions

Absolutely friggin’ ridiculous…
Has the team considered a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the golf cart? It was clearly defective… What would the monetary damages be for -1 season w/ Johnson?
Does this mean the charity golf tournament is off this year, too?

by KCbluesfan on Sep 24, 2008 12:12 AM CDT reply actions

I don’t get it – The Sharks center Torrey Mitchell breaks “both major bones” in his leg during practice when “crashing into the post” and is expected to be out 2 months. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3601532) Yet, EJ slips getting out of a golf cart and his season is over… I’m not a doc, but it just doesn’t make sense.

by KCbluesfan on Sep 24, 2008 12:29 AM CDT reply actions