St. Louis Blues Chad Johnson: Get To Know Your Newest Blues

The St. Louis Blues knew they were likely to need a new backup goaltender for the 2018-19 season. They went with a choice that few had really considered prior to the actual signing though.

To say that anyone was excited about the newest backup goaltender for the St. Louis Blues would probably be a lie. Most Blues fans met the signing of Chad Johnson with indifference or indignance.

I put myself in the former category. Johnson does nothing for me really, but at his best, he should be a suitable backup.

In fact, Johnson has been a backup almost his entire career. He has been with five different clubs – six, if you include the Blues – and only seen starting minutes once or twice, depending on your perspective.

Johnson’s best season, percentage wise, was in Boston in 2013-14. He played in 27 games, started 23 and went 17-4-3. He had a .925 save percentage and a 2.10 goals against.

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Johnson’s other best season was when he was the defacto starter with Buffalo in 2015-16. The team split time between three goaltenders, but Johnson saw the bulk of the action playing in 45 games and starting 40. He had a .920 save percentage and 2.36 goals against that year.

Unfortunately, things were not always so good for Johnson. He’s coming off a pretty bad year after returning to Buffalo in 2017-18. Johnson went 10-16-3 with a .891 save percentage and 3.55 goals against. It was on a bad Sabres team, but those numbers do not breed a ton of confidence.

So, the question is whether the Blues will get the Johnson from his first stint in Buffalo or even his Calgary days or will the get last year’s. The Blues are clearly hoping they do not get last year’s.

The one good thing about acquiring Johnson is, I believe it will benefit Jake Allen. Most fans are taking the opposite mentality, but Allen actually seems to play his best without competition.

Some of Allen’s best games were during the stretch when Carter Hutton was hurt. The Snake did not have to look over his shoulder, so he could just focus on his game and he flourished. There is no way that Johnson is taking the starting role unless he plays out of his gourd.

Also, Johnson’s contract is not so much that the Blues cannot entertain the idea of playing Ville Husso in the NHL. If they have to put him on waivers, they can afford that kind of loss.

I doubt the plan is to do that. If Husso earns a spot in the NHL, the Blues will give it to him. Personally, I think he would benefit starting one more year in the AHL with nothing but Blues prospects. That’s just me.

The one reason I am not disappointed in the Johnson signing is that he has proven he can handle the load, if only for small doses. He initially had a really good season in Calgary in 2016-17.

Johnson took over for a struggling Brian Elliott and seemed to put the clamps on the position. However, the team faltered and so did he, allowing Moose to take it back. Even so, he had 18 wins and three shutouts.

So, he’s somewhat of a stop-gap player. Johnson has never been with any team for more than one season at time, which almost makes you feel bad for him.

Next: Get To Know Tyler Bozak

The Blues are bringing him in to challenge for the number two spot, but it would be surprising if he is still wearing the Note in a year’s time.

Funny things can happen between now and then. Basically all the Blues need from him is a steady presence and to be ready when called upon.

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