Colorado Avalanche Player Grade: Erik Johnson

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson is the first player to receive his grade for the 2015-16 season.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson is the cornerstone of the blueline. He is the defenseman who sees some of the biggest minutes on the team. He plays on both the power play and the penalty kill, and he faces off against the top opponent lines.

Johnson was paired with Francois Beauchemin for the majority of the season, until the Colorado Avalanche’s collapse inspired head coach Patrick Roy to change things up. He skated with rookie Chris Bigras for a few games, ostensibly to teach the youngster.

Besides being the cornerstone of actual defense, Erik Johnson is a leader. He doesn’t wear a letter, but he works with the defensemen in practice. He also leads by example as his compete level is one of the highest on the team.

Johnson has been with the Colorado Avalanche since a trade in February 2011.

Player Statistics

Games

PlayedGoalsAssistsPointsGoal % of PointsAssist % of Points 73 11 16 27 40.7% 59.3%Even Strength Goal %PP Goal %SOGShooting %Even Strength Assist %PP Assist % 54.6% 27.3% 175 6.3% 75% 25%

Take AwaysGive AwaysTurnover +/-BlocksHitsTOI per Game 30 45 -15 197 126 23.44

Player Grade: C+

If Erik Johnson were any other than the cornerstone of the Colorado Avalanche, he would have gotten a B as being above average but not excellent. The cornerstone of a team’s defense needs to be well above average to excellent, though.

If not for his leadership, as exemplified below, I probably would have given him a C-.

More About Erik Johnson:

Player Future

More from Mile High Sticking

Erik Johnson is considered by all to be one of the core members of the Colorado Avalanche. A team-friendly contract extension has him with the Avs for seven more seasons. He has a no-trade clause.

What’s more, the Colorado Avalanche defensive corps is built around Johnson. Even the most virulent critics of the Avalanche defense don’t blame Johnson for the lack. Indeed, he’s one of the few bright spots on the Colorado blueline.

Beauchemin is aging, and it was always seen that the veteran would give way to the 28-year-old Johnson as he, himself, transitioned to veteran status. Johnson is sure to be on the top pairing next season — for a few seasons to come, no doubt. He may continue to partner with Beauchemin, might see more time with Bigras or even get paired with wild mustang Nikita Zadorov. Or the team might seek out a new partner for him in the off-season.

What’s more, it seems only a matter of time before Johnson is finally awarded a letter. He has never been one to shirk any leadership duties, no matter how onerous. Indeed, as the full implosion of the Colorado Avalanche played out, Johnson was the only player who consistently spoke to the media. In final interviews, he took responsibility for the collapse and said all the right things about the coach and the system:

"“Every night we have a great game plan and we try to execute it. It’s definitely not a system issue with what the coaches put out there. It’s definitely on us players, on the core of the team, that we didn’t make the playoffs, and we have to look in the mirror and realize we have to be better. When you don’t get the results you want, it’s definitely not a staff issue or a management issue; the onus is on the players. At the end of the day, we didn’t get in the playoffs and a lot of that falls on my shoulders, so it definitely means I have to be better.”"

Those were the words everyone needed to hear, and Erik Johnson took it upon himself to say them and say them at the right time.

Next: Johnson Playing New Role

So, moving forward, I’m confident Erik Johnson will continue to take steps to be better and make the team better. What’s more, I fully expect he will continue to be a leader both on and off the ice — regardless of whether he’s finally awarded with the letter he deserves.