There was a sparkle of a Stanley Cup over Erik Johnson’s right shoulder: a framed photo of the defenseman who will hoist it with the Avalanche in 2022.
In the eyes of many, the 2024-25 Flyers are still A team in the process of rebuilding, or at least not yet a true championship contender..
But Johnson, a calm, well-spoken veteran who has seen a lot in his 16 seasons, wants the Flyers to think differently: The 36-year-old isn’t just returning to Philadelphia to play one more season and reach the milestone of 1,000 NHL games.
He cherishes another opportunity.
“Maybe it’s because external expectations aren’t high or the organization thinks now isn’t the time to win, but if you look back over the last few years, there have been examples of eighth-seeded teams slipping into the playoffs, making the finals and winning the Cup,” Johnson said during a Zoom press conference on Thursday. “I think it’s really important for us as players to realize that just because expectations aren’t high or there aren’t expectations doesn’t mean we can’t do something special. I think players need to realize that every year is an opportunity and that as a player, you only have a finite time in your career.”
Johnson joined the Flyers at the trade deadline in March last season and re-signed with the team 10 days ago on a one-year, $1 million contract. He praised the Flyers’ locker room. since then From the Sabres in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick.
He didn’t consider retirement after the Flyers. They missed out on a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season..
“I’ve talked to a lot of guys who have decided to retire and it was their choice. They all said, ‘Wait when they tell you it’s over, don’t do it yourself, let them rip your jersey off,'” Johnson said. “So as long as my body feels good and the passion is still there, I’m going to play as long as I can. Right now I’m in the gym getting ready for next season and the drive is still there. I love competing, I love being in a room with my guys, I love going on the road and playing meaningful games.”
It’s clear why the Flyers value Johnson’s presence on the team. He’s a 6-foot-4, right-handed defenseman who can still contribute. He’s a Stanley Cup champion with 987 regular-season games under his belt. And he’s had a positive impact on the team’s defensemen, especially Cam York, Jamie Drysdale and Egor Zamula, who are all 24 and under.
The Flyers weren’t the only contenders for Johnson dating back to last offseason, when the veteran signed with Buffalo after 13 seasons with Colorado.
“You never know how valued you are or how much interest you’ll get until you’re a free agent,” Johnson said. “I was in talks with five or six teams last summer and I was close to going to three, four or five teams by the deadline this year, but ultimately I chose Philadelphia. I wanted an opportunity to play and it ended up being a great team.”
“The days of only being able to play 25, 26 minutes a night are gone. I know that and I’m happy with that. … I told the guys I’m open to whatever role it is. Whether it’s 20, 30, 40, 50 games or however many games it is, on the ice or off the ice, I’m here to help the guys. I’m here for the guys, I’m here for the Flyers. Whatever they ask of me, I’m going to do it.”
Johnson’s 55 playoff games are 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 appear in the playoffs.
The Flyers could feature up to 12 players under the age of 25 in the lineup to open the season.
“We may be a young team with low expectations, but that means nothing,” Johnson said. “We can surprise a lot of teams, a lot of pundits, whoever it is. When we’re in shape, when we use our goaltending, when we have young enthusiasm, when we inject youth, speed and skill into the lineup, there’s no telling what we can do.”
“I think we have to believe we can go big this year and make the playoffs. If we do make it, you never know what’s going to happen. That’s our mindset and what we have to believe as a team and that’s what we’re going to preach when camp starts.”
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