Erik Johnson at camp last week (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
My story on Erik Johnson’s contract extension is .
In addition to his comments in the story, here’s what Johnson said about avoiding the temptation to become complacent after signing a deal that locks him up — but also sets him up financially — for the next eight seasons.
“You play to win,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t have signed here long-term if I didn’t think we were going to win. That was the biggest sticking point when I sat down with Pat (Patrick Roy) and Joe (Sakic) and talked to them, is I want to be here for the long haul. We’re going to win and I want to be here for a part of it. I think in seven,eight years, (Nathan) MacKinnon’s going to be 28. That’s his prime. Gabe (Landeskog) is going to be 29, 30, right around there, that’s his prime. I just thought I want to be a part of it, I want to be here for the long haul.
“I’m going to bring it every day. It’s not like you sign a contract and things are over. You play for the ultimate goal and this is just a chapter that’s written in the entire book and you want to fill those chapters with lots of winning days.”
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.com or @tfrei
