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Colorado Avalanche: 5 Things I’d Like to See in the Preseason

By Nadia Archuleta

DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck as Dallas Stars right wing Brett Ritchie (25) chases him during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche on September 30, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Colorado defeats Dallas 6-5. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck as Dallas Stars right wing Brett Ritchie (25) chases him during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche on September 30, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Colorado defeats Dallas 6-5. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MAY 06: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during warm ups prior to Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Erik Johnson Healthy

Cornerstone defenseman Erik Johnson had shoulder surgery in the offseason. He’s mostly recovered, but at the time of writing, he had yet to participate in a full Avs practice.

He was in charge of captain’s camp until Gabriel Landeskog arrived. He’s also been practicing on his own with different coaches. Here he is with skills coach Shawn Allard:

You can see that he’s moving well. Apparently he’s got some lingering tendinitis in his shoulder. Well, I don’t know at what point he’s going to show up in games, but that’s one thing I’m excited to see.

Right now, the duo of Cale Makar and Sam Girard are challenging for the top pairing spot, but I think it’s going to be difficult to differentiate what, exactly, is the top pairing. Once Johnson returns, he’s most likely going to be paired on a juggernaut of a pairing with Nikita Zadorov. That’s the type of pairing you put out there against opponents’ top lines.

Anyway, I’m just excited to see Johnson back healthy and contributing 100%.

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