After a disappointing 3-0 shutout loss at home against the Dallas Stars, the Colorado Avalanche reported that defenseman Erik Johnson suffered a broken fibula and would be out for six to eight weeks.
Erik Johnson broken fibula. Out 6-8 weeks#Avs
— Kyle Keefe (@kylekeefetv) December 4, 2016
Colorado Avalanche Lose Erik Johnson to Injury
The injury occurred about midway through the second period when Johnson blocked a hard Tyler Seguin shot. Immediately, Johnson fell to the ice where he then continued to get back up and finish his shift. Afterwards, he hobbled to the bench and went straight to the dressing room. The announcement of the injury was no real surprise, for it was obvious how much pain Johnson was in after the block.
The former first overall pick in the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Johnson is currently in the first year of a seven-year, $42 million contract extension he signed in 2015. He currently sits at 11 points, having a single goal and ten assists. Johnson is tied with Tyson Barrie as scoring leaders among defenseman on the team. The 28-year-old veteran blue-liner averages about 22 minutes of ice time per game. With his injury sidelining him for at least six weeks, the earliest we can see Johnson return would be mid-January. However, the start of February is most likely when he will make his return.
“Injuries are not an excuse, but it helps to have some of those guys in the lineup,” Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said. “You’re missing a pair on defense (Referring to both Johnson and Fedor Tyutin, whom did not play in last night’s game due to a lower-body injury), and … we have to stick with it and get through it. It’s the only way to get out of this.” (Via NHL.com)
The Avs resume play on Tuesday. They travel to Bridgestone Arena to take on the Nashville Predators, and kick off a four-game road trip. They will be facing the Preds, the Boston Bruins, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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