Erik Johnson retires after a 17-year NHL career, highlighted by Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup. A 2006 No.1 pick by St. Louis, he moved to the Avalanche in 2011 and played 1,023 regular-season games across Blues, Avalanche, Sabres and Flyers—posting 95 goals, 253 assists, 1,717 blocks and 1,695 hits. A Denver staple for 14 seasons, EJ led fans with a Cup-parade moment and leaves as a franchise leader in blocks and a trusted, durable defender.

Johnson’s Avalanche tenure places him among the franchise’s most durable blue-liners; he ranks first in blocked shots and among the top in games and hits for defensemen. Known as EJ, he departs with gratitude and the certainty that his impact will echo in Colorado hockey for years to come.

The landscape of NHL free agency has shifted dramatically with a slew of recent signings, including 15 players securing contracts worth $5 million or more.

As the Colorado Avalanche prepares for free agency, they have some cap flexibility, but they won’t be engaging in bidding wars for top-tier talent. Instead, they may look to fill roster holes through strategic trades and signings of less prominent players.

Notably, Colorado has several players entering free agency, including Jonathan Drouin and Erik Johnson, while also announcing a four-year extension for Parker Kelly that kicks in during the 2026-27 season.