Johnson, appropriate in many ways, wants Flyers to challenge the rebuild narrative originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
The glow of the Stanley Cup can be seen above Erik Johnson’s right shoulder. It was a framed image of the defenseman hoisting the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
In the eyes of many, the 2024-25 Flyers are still considered a rebuilding team or at least not yet a genuine contender.
But Johnson, a collected, well-spoken veteran who has witnessed a lot in 16 seasons, wants the Flyers to think differently. The 36-year-old didn’t return to Philadelphia simply to play one more season and reach the 1,000 career NHL game mark.
He appreciates another opportunity.
“Just because the outside expectations maybe aren’t high or maybe the organization doesn’t feel like it’s time to win right now, I think if you look back over the last few years, there’s been the eighth seed in the playoffs. and they got to the final and even won the Cup,” Johnson said Thursday in a press conference via Zoom. “I think it’s really important for us as players to realize that just because those expectations haven’t increased and they don’t exist, doesn’t mean they don’t we can do something special. I think guys have to realize that every year is an opportunity, your career is only so long.”
After joining the Flyers last season at the March trade deadline, Johnson re-signed with the club 10 days ago to a one-year, $1 million contract. He praised the Flyers locker room since then arriving from the Sabers in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick.
He never thought about retiring after the Flyers were eliminated from playoff contention on the last day of the regular season.
“I talked to a lot of guys who retired and it was their choice, they all said, ‘Wait until they don’t say anything else, don’t do it alone, let them rip your shirt. you,'” Johnson said. “So I’m going to play as much as I can, as long as my body feels good and I still have that passion. Even in the gym now, getting ready for another season, I still have that motivation, I love the competition and I love being in the room with the guys, I love traveling and playing meaningful games.”
It’s easy to see why the Flyers value Johnson’s presence on their team. He’s a 6-foot-2, sharp-shooting defenseman who can still contribute. He has a Stanley Cup ring and 987 games of regular season experience. And he’s a quality influence on the team’s defenders, particularly Cam York, Jamie Drysdale and Egor Zamula, all 24 or younger.
The Flyers haven’t been Johnson’s only suitors since last offseason, when the veteran signed with Buffalo after 13 seasons in Colorado.
“You never really know how valued or how much interest you’re going to get until you’re a free agent,” Johnson said. “I was talking to five or six teams last summer, and at the deadline this year, there were three, four, five teams that I almost went to and Philly ended up being the one. being a great fit.
“My days of 25, 26 minutes a night are behind me and I know that, I’m comfortable with that. … I told them I’d be open to any role. I’m here to help these guys, on and off the ice, Whether it’s 20, 30, 40, 50 games or whatever, I’m here for them and I’m here for the Flyers. Whatever they’re going to ask me to do, I’m going to do it.”
Johnson’s 55 games of postseason experience is more than the other six Flyers defensemen combined. Travis Sanheim has 20, Nick Seeler has five and Rasmus Ristolainen, York, Drysdale and Zamula have yet to make the playoffs.
The Flyers can have up to 12 players age 25 or younger on their season-opening roster.
“Maybe it’s a young team with low expectations, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Johnson said. “We could go in and surprise a bunch of teams, a bunch of experts, whoever. speed, skill in your lineup.
“I think we have to believe that we can do damage this year and make the playoffs and you never know what can happen once you get in. I think that’s our mentality, that’s what we have to believe in as a team and I think that’s it. we’ll preach when camp starts.”
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