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Colorado Avalanche: Erik Johnson Has Case For Norris Trophy

By Dave Stevenson

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 16: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Pepsi Center on December 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Lightning defeated the Avalanche 6-5. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 16: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Pepsi Center on December 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Lightning defeated the Avalanche 6-5. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson should be on everyone’s Norris Trophy ballot

One of the hugest surprises of the 2017-18 NHL season has been the Colorado Avalanche. After a historically bad 2016-17 season, even the most pessimistic fan didn’t think they’d be that bad again. November saw the trade of Matt Duchene, suggesting the team was focused more on winning later than winning now. Despite losing such a talented player, the Avalanche have won 10 straight and, as of January 23, have a spot in the playoffs.

Nathan MacKinnon’s outstanding season has played a huge role in their success. He has an excellent case for the Hart Trophy. General Manager Joe Sakic deserves credit for not just sticking to his guns with his asking price for Duchene, but for exercising patience during a time many would have panicked. Head coach Jared Bednar has rewarded the front office’s faith in him and has successfully installed a system based on speed.

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However, the most underrated part of their success has been the leadership and steady play of defenseman Erik Johnson. The Avalanche are the second-youngest team in the NHL, with an average age of just over 25. This is especially true defensively, as Tyson Barrie and Johnson are the only two regulars who are over 25 years old.

An injury to the latter on December 23 has put even more pressure on this young blueline. Johnson has been asked to play during all situations even before Barrie’s injury.

This season, he’s averaging a career-high 25:43 of ice time per game, the sixth-highest among all defensemen. As expected, Johnson’s been asked to do even more without Barrie, as his average ice time since Dec. 23 has gone up to over 26 minutes.

It’s one thing to play a ton of minutes. Being deserving of them is quite another. Johnson has proven to be deserving of all the trust put in him by Bednar. At even strength, he’s been especially impactful. Johnson’s relative expected goals for percentage of 7.75 percent ranks among the NHL’ s best.

His impact has also been felt on the penalty kill, as he’s been asked to kill a ton of penalties. Johnson has been the anchor of the NHL’s second most efficient penalty kill. Only Ron Hainsey has spent more time shorthanded than his 167:28.

It’s understandable why Johnson’s remarkable season has gone under the radar. First of all, he plays in a relatively small hockey market. Also, no one thought to give much attention to the Avalanche before this season. While Johnson is far from an offensive liability, he doesn’t put up the attractive point totals of other top defensemen. Barrie hasn’t played in nearly a month and he still has more points than him.

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If the Avalanche continue to surprise and make the postseason, Johnson’s excellent two-way play will be a significant reason why. I don’t have a PHWA ballot, but hypothetically, I’d have him in my top three.

All stats are as of Jan. 23, 2018.

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