Avalanche Defense: 5 Questions for the 2015-16 Season

Dec 13, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) reacts to his goal in the second period against the St. Louis Blues at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3. Will Erik Johnson have a career year?

Erik Johnson is due for his breakout season.

If you don’t know the story by now, here’s the abbreviated verson: Johnson went first overall in the 2006 NHL draft. After a decent rookie season he missed his second season with a knee injury. His career was up and down for years, including several international appearances, an Olympic silver medal, a blockbuster trade (to Colorado), and a career that seemed to be going bust.

He matched his career numbers under Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy’s tutelage in the 2013-14 dream season and was on pace to bust those statistics wide open last season despite the rest of the team’s doldrums. Then knee surgery ended his season just as he was slated to be the Avalanche’s only representative to the All Star Weekend.

Here’s EJ’s season in Iron Maiden songs.

So, will the Colorado Avalanche’s top defenseman finally get the career season he deserves? Obviously we hope so since that only bodes well for the Avs.

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