Winner: Erik Johnson
Dec 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) during the game against the St. Louis Blues at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Johnson is a winner — do I really need to elaborate that statement? Oh well.
Johnson showed that he can be relied on as one of the top-defencemen on the Avalanche-roster last season. One year later, it is clear that he is not “one of the top-defencemen”. He simply is the top-defenceman. Erik Johnson is the Avalanche’s number one. And he is a great one at that.
Even on a far below average defence that features guys like Nate Guenin, Nick Holden and Zach Redmond, Erik Johnson could give fans hope. When he is on the ice, the defence does not look that bad anymore — although it clearly is. And when he is not on the ice, he is missing. That is so very clear now and it makes EJ a winner in a bad season.