Raleigh, N.C. (WGR 550) - While playing in Colorado with the Avalanche, Erik Johnson played in a defensive system that was more man-on-man coverage. As for the Buffalo Sabres, players are in a defensive zone, so to speak.
Johnson has been excellent leading the Sabres' penalty kill, but his play while at 5-on-5 has been an adjustment.
"I think he’ll get better 5-on-5. It’s a big system change from man-on-man, and I still think that affects him," said Sabres head coach Don Granato. "It takes time, and he’s played it for a lot of years. Through reps and through games, that’s something that will resolve, in a sense that he’ll get better with it. But I do think it’s been a challenge for him, absolutely. So I think he can get better 5-on-5, and I think he will get better 5-on-5."
Granato says it’s tough to break instincts when you've played that system year-after-year, because it becomes instinctive.
"Now you’re fighting your instincts differently, and I see him when I watch him. He still gets caught in that, but we know that’s the issue, not the player," Granato said.
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Johnson, himself, agrees it has been different playing the defensive system in Buffalo.
"I think there’s always an adjustment coming into a new team," said Johnson following Friday's practice. "I say it usually takes players 15-20 games to get up to speed, but overall, I think it’s been good. The PK, the 5-on-5, and just getting to accept and adapt to any role I’ve been given. But it’s all about winning, and I’ll do anything and accept any role to do that."
Johnson admits he wouldn’t still be playing in the NHL if he wasn’t still trying to improve his game.
"For me, I’m always trying to get better," he said. "You’re never satisfied, and even at my age, I’m always looking at video and trying to improve."
Johnson says he has great teammates on the defense that he relies on, and adds the coaches made it good for him on the adjustment side.
Of course, the two systems Johnson has played have their differences.
"I would say the biggest is here, we’re more of a zone. We were more man-on-man in Colorado," Johnson said. "Instead of shadowing a guy, here you’re in your quadrant. And on the right side, you’re playing on the right post to the top of the circle/hash mark area. I’ve watched video and seen how it’s gone, and there’s some differences, but overall, I feel like it’s coming around. I’m getting used to it, and the coaches have been great in making sure if there’s anything we can fix."
You’ll hear more from Johnson during Saturday’s pregame coverage on WGR from Carolina starting at 6 p.m. EST.
