Avalanche Offseason
UFA Erik Johnson Still Wants to Play in the NHL
Erik Johnson was at the Avalanche’s Alumni Game at Magness Arena on Sunday. But he wasn’t one of the former Avs skaters suited up as a member of the Alumni.
He was in the booth for Altitude TV, offering his time to the franchise he loves, despite being an unrestricted free agent without a contract.
Even though training camp begins in less than a month, the 37-year-old defenseman is not ready to call it quits. He wants to continue playing, and he made that clear at the conclusion of the Altitude broadcast.
Was great to see and catch up with Erik Johnson tonight at Avs/DU alumni event.
One of the things he mentioned to me was what he also just said on the Altitude broadcast… he wants to play next season in the NHL, but is still waiting to see what the next few weeks bring.
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) August 25, 2025
Johnson returned to the Avalanche on trade deadline day in March. He ended up appearing in 14 games down the stretch and another two in the playoffs. But the team didn’t re-sign him before July 1. Nor did he put pen to paper on a contract with Colorado or any other team after free agency began.
Avs general manager Chris MacFarland noted at the draft that he’d circle back with some of the team’s UFA’s if they were still available. He referenced Ryan Lindgren, who ended up signing with Seattle. He also mentioned Jonathan Drouin, the forward that departed for Long Island.
Joel Kiviranta ended up coming back, signing a contract earlier this month. But Johnson remains the one notable Colorado UFA still on the market. And I’m not entirely sure if the team has a spot for him after adding Brent Burns in July and re-signing Sam Malinski before free agency.
Colorado is one of the few teams with ample depth on the right side. They have Cale Makar and Josh Manson manning the top two pairs, which means one of Malinski or Burns is probably going to play on the left side. And with Keaton Middleton as an extra option, it would mean the Avs would have to carry eight defensemen if Johnson returns.
Could he land a professional tryout as a depth piece with the club? Perhaps. But I just can’t see it happening without another trade or move on the blueline.
Colorado is his preferred destination, but at this point, it might take another club to offer a contract or PTO for Johnson to be on a roster come opening night.
I usually think the term “valuable locker room guy” is typically overused. But EJ is so close with the core of this roster. I think it would be a slight mistake to not tender him an offer. I can’t imagine they’d have to give him more than 900 – 950k.
I know they have an inordinate amount of right shot D. But I’d still rather have him as the 7th D than Middelton. You can make the case that even right now EJ is the better defenseman. Let alone the vibes/intangibles.
Very well put, Jeremy.
“Valuable lockerroom guy” is a real thing in sports. It’s basketball, not hockey but Calvin Booth, the previous GM of the Nuggets had a philosophy that while there are 15 roster spots the last spot is really a “break glass in case of emergency” role. He valued that position so much that he liked to have that end of the bench player be a lockerroom glue guy.
EJ would be a good insurance policy too, as we know Manson likely plays about half the season due injury. He would make the Avs the oldest roster in the league! I wonder whom they could move to the left side of Malinsky, Burns, or EJ? Probably Malinsky, since he’s by far the youngster.
They def should sign johnson. He def better then middleton as an extra or they could call up attard