Avalanche Are Bringing Back Erik Johnson

The Avalanche are bringing back fan-favorite Erik Johnson, acquiring him from the Philadelphia Flyers for Givani Smith, according to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

Johnson spent 12 years as a staple of the Avs’ blueline from 2011 to 2023, which included a Stanley Cup championship in 2022. He spent the tail end of 2024 and all of this season with Philadelphia before the deadline deal.

Johnson, who will be 37 in two weeks, has a $1 million cap hit and has appeared in just 22 games for the Flyers this season.

“It’s huge. For the whole D core, for the whole team, it’s important,” Nathan MacKinnon said. “We’re gonna have to play a style of game, and he knows how to play it.”

It’s no secret that he’s not going to be as effective as he was even three years ago. Johnson has seen his ice time drop from more than 17 minutes per game as a regular for the Stanley Cup-winning team to just over 13 minutes per game and regularly healthy- scratched for a non-playoff Flyers team.

The Avs need more help on the right side, which Johnson will provide to an extent. But more importantly, for a team that’s seen so much turnover in recent weeks, having Johnson back in the fray is going to help tie the group together.

His presence as a leader in the room was one of his greatest traits.

“He’s not gonna get a ton of minutes, and he’s gonna be the best guy in the room,” MacKinnon said. “You never want to worry about guys’ attitudes, especially when they’re not playing much.”