Update: Per reports on Sunday, Jack Johnson has signed in Colorado with the Avalanche. The deal is for one year at a price tag of $750K. Avalanche Executive Vice President / General Manager Joe Sakic said of the deal, “Jack is a veteran defenseman that we brought into camp to help shore up our depth on the back end.” He added, “He provides a steady presence and brings a lot of NHL experience to our team. We like what he has added to our blue line over the past few weeks and we’re pleased to have him on the club as we head into the start of the season.”
Original Story:
According to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, things are “trending in the direction” when it comes to Jack Johnson getting signed with the Colorado Avalanche. With the team on a professional tryout, an injury to Devon Toews opened up a spot for Johnson and he’s seemingly taken advantage of that opportunity.
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Baugh writes that nothing is official, but adds, “His agent, Pat Brisson, will be connecting with Colorado general manager Joe Sakic at the beginning of this week to come in earn a contract and it sounds like he may have done so.”
Baugh adds that Johnson had other options this summer but specifically wanted to join the Avs. The scribe writes there was interest from one team in a potential non-PTO deal but because the player had a previous relationship with Avalanche assistant general manager Chris MacFarland, this is where he wanted to be. Johnson played 445 games and MacFarland worked for 16 years, and he had a positive conversation with coach Jared Bednar.
Johnson said one of the things he’s looking at is being with a team he thinks can win. “They made me feel really good about it,” Johnson said. “Winning is always the most important thing, but (I) don’t have that many chances left. This team, I believe, has as good a chance as anyone.” And for Johnson, who may not be a regular once a healthy Toews returns, being there and filling in when needed on a championship-caliber team is about the best-case scenario.
As for the Avs, they like what he can bring in a more limited, but important role. He’s played alongside Bowen Byram in the preseason and has been seen as a helpful veteran from the rookie. What Colorado needs is a sold third-pairing guy and Joe Sakic thinks he might be able to bring that.
The team will also need depth that goes well beyond the six regulars. In the NHL, injuries will happen and clubs will need steady and reliable players to step in when it happens.
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