Colorado Avalanche keep defenseman Erik Johnson with 4-year, $15 million deal -NHL Update
Colorado Avalanche kept elite level defenseman, Erik Johnson, by signing on the 24-year-old to a four-year contract worth a reported $15 million, announced the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.
Johnson was a restricted free agent and was believed to be a player which Colorado had wanted to keep on the squad. It was learned a few days back that the Avalanche also offered him a qualifying tender and have now officially re-signed him back.
The $15 million contract comes as a considerable boost from his previous two-year deal which was worth at an estimated $5.2 million with a salary cap hit of $2.6 million annually.
Prior to signing the contract, Johnson had expressed the desire of staying with the Colorado franchise, during an interview with a local newspaper, The Denver Post.
"I've wanted to be in Colorado the whole time and the four-year deal is so good for me and my family and I'm so excited to be a part of the Avalanche for the next four years," Johnson said. "Right from the get-go in negotiations we targeted the four-year
deal and managed to come to terms yesterday and sign the contract last night. I'm just very excited, very appreciative and very grateful for this opportunity from the Avalanche."
Avalanche general manager, Greg Sherman, was the one to make the announcement and termed his arrival in Colorado one that has provided extensive depth in the defensive department due to his size and offensive style of play on the blue line. Keeping him under
contract was something they had planned on doing ever since.
Johnson, a former first overall draft pick by St. Louis Blues back in 2006, participated in nearly three seasons with his original team before being shipped off to Colorado during the 2010-2011 regular season.
In a total of 298 games played throughout his career, Johnson has 127 points (27 goals, 100 assists) and 189 minutes in penalty time.
This past season was one of his best in recent years as he put up 26 points (4 goals, 22 assists) in 73 games played.
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