The Avalanche on Sunday announced it has signed veteran defenseman Jack Johnson to a one-year contract. Johnson, 34, had been in training camp and preseason with Colorado on a professional tryout contract.
The No. 3 overall selection of the 2005 draft has played in 950 career NHL regular-season games, ranking 22nd all-time among American-born defensemen. He has also played in 30 career Stanley Cup playoff games.
“Jack is a veteran defenseman that we brought into camp to help shore up our depth on the back end,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in a release. “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.”
Johnson, 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds, played with the New York Rangers last season but appeared in only 13 games after undergoing core muscle surgery. He previously played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who bought out the final three years of his contract in 2020.
Johnson’s deal with the Avs is worth $750,000, per a league source. He has estimated career earnings of more than $45 million, according to CapFriendly.com.
The Avs are carrying 10 defensemen, including seven on guaranteed NHL deals. Rookies Bo Byram and Justin Barron and veteran Jacob MacDonald are on two-way contracts.
Colorado, which opens the 2021-22 season on Wednesday against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks, will have to cut down to seven or eight defensemen. Devon Toews might begin the season on injured reserve after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.
The Avs had Sunday off. They will practice Monday and Tuesday at Family Sports Center.
