ERIK JOHNSON NEWS

In lineup Friday Johnson (lower body) is set to play in the Sabres' preseason finale versus the Penguins.

Impact Johnson was banged up in the middle of the week, but the Sabres took a cautious approach. His presence in the preseason finale suggests he'll be fine for a third-pairing role when the Sabres open the regular season Thursday versus the Rangers.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Aggravates lower-body injury Johnson aggravated a lower-body injury and will miss Wednesday's preseason contest versus Columbus as a result, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.

Impact Johnson wanted to play through the injury, but Sabres coach Don Granato felt it was better to give him the night off. With the 35-year-old defenseman out of the lineup, Henri Jokiharju will dress for Wednesday's exhibition game instead.

OCTOBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sabres Sign Erik Johnson to One-Year Deal The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Erik Johnson on a one-year contract worth $3.25 million.

JULY 1, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Signs with Sabres Johnson signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with Buffalo on Saturday.

Impact Johnson chipped in eight assists, 98 shots on goal, 102 blocked shots and 121 hits in 63 games with Colorado last season. He will add a veteran presence to Buffalo's blue line in what is likely to be a third-pairing role.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche Journal: Erik Johnson, free agency and the likely end of an era The winds of change might be upon the Colorado Avalanche in 2023 NHL free agency. Erik Johnson is the beginning.

JUNE 24, 2023 • DENVERPOST.COM

Erik Johnson likely won't be back with the Avalanche. What it means for all involved Given how much teams value big, right-shot defensemen with playoff experience, there should be a market for Johnson in free agency.

JUNE 22, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Evaluating Avalanche's situation with internal free agents, from J.T. Compher to Erik Johnson Let's take a look at the pending unrestricted free agents from last year's team. Who makes sense to keep?

JUNE 13, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Peter Baugh: FINAL: The Avalanche win 4-1 against the Kraken... - The Athletic FINAL: The Avalanche win 4-1 against the Kraken. Mikko Rantanen, Erik Johnson and Artturi Lehkonen (2) scored. Quite a pushback after some t...

APRIL 29, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Provides game-winning goal Johnson contributed a goal in a 4-1 victory over Seattle in Game 6 on Friday.

Impact Johnson was held off the scoresheet over his previous eight contests, and he didn't score a goal at all in 63 regular-season contests. He found the back of the net midway through the second period to put Colorado up 2-1, and that tally stood as the game-winner. At the age of 35, Johnson typically doesn't do much offensively, but the defenseman has recorded 29 hits and 14 blocks through six playoff appearances this year.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return to action Johnson (ankle) is expected to be a practice regular moving forward, Brennan Vogt of Full Press Hockey reports Tuesday.

Impact Johnson's initial injury recovery timeline was put at 8-10 weeks and it's been less than six at this point. As such, it's still not immediately clear when he might be ready to actually suit up for the club. Even once cleared to play, the defenseman may have to serve as a healthy scratch periodically given the crowded blue line following the re-acquisition of Jack Johnson at the deadline.

MARCH 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche look to keep win streak alive, host the Blackhawks

The Colorado Avalanche head into a matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks as winners of five games in a row

MARCH 19, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Senators host the Avalanche after Stuetzle's 2-goal game

The Ottawa Senators host the Colorado Avalanche after Tim Stützle's two-goal game against the Edmonton Oilers in the Senators' 6-3 loss

MARCH 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kings take win streak into game against the Avalanche

The Los Angeles Kings aim to keep their four-game win streak going when they visit the Colorado Avalanche

MARCH 8, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Jose visits Colorado after shootout win

The San Jose Sharks visit the Colorado Avalanche after the Sharks defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 in overtime

MARCH 7, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Avalanche take winning streak into home matchup against the Devils

The Colorado Avalanche take on the New Jersey Devils with a six winning streak on the line

FEBRUARY 28, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Avalanche look to keep win streak going, host the Golden Knights

The Colorado Avalanche host the Vegas Golden Knights with a five win streak on the line

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Avalanche host the Flames on 4-game winning streak

The Colorado Avalanche host the Calgary Flames with a four winning streak intact

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Peter Baugh: Pre-deadline thought: If Erik Johnson (broken... - The Athletic Pre-deadline thought: If Erik Johnson (broken ankle) goes on LTIR, perhaps the Avalanche look into acquiring a depth defenseman with the ext...

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Oilers take losing streak into game against the Avalanche

The Edmonton Oilers head into the matchup with the Colorado Avalanche as losers of three games in a row

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Will miss multiple weeks Johnson (lower body) will be out for multiple weeks, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Avalanche's defense is dealing with a number of injuries right now, but it appears Johnson's absence is the one that will last the longest. The 34-year-old has seen a top-four role this year, but Andreas Englund and Brad Hunt will likely be tasked with picking up the slack, at least until Cale Makar (head) can return.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IR Johnson (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, per the NHL media site.

Impact Johnson was injured in Saturday's game against Florida. He will miss at least the next three contests, though an exact timetable for his return remains unclear. Johnson has produced seven assists, 80 shots on goal, 78 blocks and 96 hits in 51 games this season. The Avalanche recalled blueliner Brad Hunt from the minors Tuesday in a corresponding move.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Tuesday Johnson (lower body) won't play Tuesday against Tampa Bay,Peter Baugh of The Athleticreports.

Impact Johnson was injured in Saturday's contest versus the Panthers. He currently doesn't have a timeline in place for his return, so he could be out Wednesday against Minnesota as well. Johnson has accounted for seven assists, 80 shots on goal, 78 blocks and 96 hits in 51 games this season.

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Saturday Johnson won't return to Saturday's game against Florida after suffering a lower-body injury in the first period.

Impact Johnson was injured on a shot block early in the opening frame. He entered Saturday's action with seven assists, 80 shots on goal, 77 blocks and 96 hits in 50 games.

FEBRUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avalanche counting on Cale Makar to be marathon man on ice

Cale Makar skated almost 33 minutes for the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in their victory last night at Carolina

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nichushkin scores winner, Avalanche beat Golden Knights 3-2

Valeri Nichushkin’s third-period goal held up as the winner for the Colorado Avalanche in a 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night

OCTOBER 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS