Just when the Mile High City thought the front office of the Colorado Avalanche was content with their personnel before the trade deadline, they went all out — I mean, ALL OUT — and made the city of Denver fall to its knees.
Precisely hours before the deadline, hometown favorite and Stanley Cup Champion defenseman Erik “Condor” Johnson is on his way back to Denver, CO, after being snagged from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Giovani Smith. This move right here? The icing on the cake for a Colorado team looking to run it back like they did in their 2022 Stanley Cup Championship campaign.
We all know that EJ will turn 37 years old in a couple of weeks and may have lost a step or two over time, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this Mile High OG veteran will make his presence — and playoff experience — felt during the 2025 Stanley Cup run. Age ain’t nothing but a number when you’re built like a brickhouse and can still throw hits. Erik Johnson has 1,009 NHL games under his belt and is looking to add one more championship ring to his collection before hanging up the skates with the Colorado Avalanche. One more ring might not be enough for EJ, especially considering the possibility of long-term roster upgrades the front office may still pursue.
The Avs have added a ton of size and physicality with the recent acquisitions of forward Charlie Coyle (6’3”, 215 lbs), which was another significant signing today; defenseman Ryan Lindgren (6’0”, 195 lbs), signed roughly a week ago; and now forward Brock Nelson (6’3″, 197 lbs) and defenseman Erik Johnson (6’4”, 225 lbs).
Colorado has struggled a bit on defense this season, particularly beyond the first defensive pairing — especially on the right side — due to a lack of size and toughness. Bigger forwards on opposing teams have consistently bullied their way into the slot for easy shots. But now, after adding those big bodies, opposing teams will think twice before hitting the afterburners when entering the Avs’ defensive zone from any angle.
The Avalanche now have more speed up front and the ability to knock heads off in the back. Only time will tell — and there isn’t much time left — before the playoffs go into full throttle. The only question now: how quickly can this newly assembled juggernaut unit adjust and get to work?
Stay tuned.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network