Morning Skate Report: Johnson Hits Another Milestone

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson has reached multiple milestones in his career and he will once again add to his list of accomplishments tonight.
Johnson is set to play in his 700th game in the NHL this evening when the Avs open a two-game road trip against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center.

"Obviously 700 seems like a lot when you first break into the league when you are 19," said the blueliner. "Every 100 games you play is a good milestone and it goes by fast, you got to enjoy it and appreciate it. You never know how many you are going to be able to play, so you got to treat every day as a gift and a blessing."
The Bloomington, Minnesota, native was selected first overall in the 2006 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues and made his debut in the league on Oct. 4, 2007. He scored his first NHL goal, which was also the game-winning tally, in his next game on Oct. 6. Through 699 outings, Johnson has recorded 75 goals and 206 assists for 281 points.
Colorado has had six different players score their first NHL goal this year and three skaters make their debut in the league. Reflecting on his teammates who are at the beginning of their careers and creating new memories, Johnson is reminded of when he was in their skates.

"Everything was new and fun. Every new road rink you had never played in before, and you played against new teams for the first time and its cool," said Johnson. "You never know how many you are going to play or how long you are going to play, and it is just one of those cool deals. Every 100 games you kind of look back and appreciate what you have been able to do thus far, and I am the same. Whether it is 100 or 500 or 700 (games), it is fun to hit that milestone."
Johnson will become the first defenseman from his draft class to reach 700 games, and he will also be the 47th U.S.-born blueliner in NHL history to hit the mark.
Colorado acquired him on Feb. 18, 2011, and he has since played 496 games with the team. He is sixth among defenseman in franchise history with 55 goals and seventh in assists with 135.
So far this year, Johnson has played in 62 contests and leads all Colorado skaters with an average of 21:58 of ice time per game. He is also tied for second among the Avs D-men with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists).
"The older you get, I think the more responsibility you feel. I don't feel like an old guy that is for sure, I still kind of feel like a kid," said Johnson. "It is a lot of fun to just come to the rink every day and be yourself. I am one of the older guys on the team now, I am almost 31, but still feel like a kid at heart so it is still a lot of fun."

FACING SAN JOSE

The contest in San Jose opens a two-game road trip against Pacific Division teams for Colorado, as the Avs will also play an afternoon matchup at the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday before heading back to Denver.
The Avs are 5-0-1 in their last six games, 6-1-1 in their last eight and have points in 10 of their last 12 contests (6-2-4). The Sharks are second in the Pacific with 82 points (37-19-8) and are 6-3-1 in their last 10 contests.
Colorado has won three in a row on the road and gained points in six straight away from home. The six-game road point streak matches a season high from when the Avs won six consecutive outings away from Pepsi Center from Nov. 11 until Dec. 2.
"I am excited about what our team has done lately and the way we have played," said head coach Jared Bednar. "The most important hockey is still to come, there is no question, but I think our guys are excited for the challenge and the opportunity to try and fight our way into the playoffs."

COLE BACK IN LINEUP

Defenseman Ian Cole will return to the Avs lineup against the Sharks. He has missed 11 games since he sustained an upper-body injury at the Washington Capitals on Feb. 7.
"I am feeling great, very excited to be back and obviously get back with the team and get out there and play against a very good San Jose team," said Cole.

The 30-year-old rear guard has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) through 53 games this campaign and will replace rookie Ryan Graves on the blue line.
"It is tough decisions there on the back end, and hopefully that can drive the best out of all of our guys," said Bednar. "I think that Graves came in, he has been a pleasant surprise. He has played real well on both sides of the puck. He has helped us provide a little bit of offense.
"I think on any given night, you kind of look at a group of our D and some nights one guy plays better than the other and vice versa. We are going to have some tough decisions to make there, but that is a good thing."
Semyon Varlamov was the first goaltender off the ice from morning skate and is expected to start in net for Colorado.
VIEW: Avalanche at Sharks Projected Lineup