Colorado Avalanche Bring Back Cup Winner In Trade With Blackhawks

Amidst all of the trade hype surrounding the league, the Colorado Avalanche made a minor move by acquiring a familiar depth defenceman from the Chicago Blackhawks. They brought back Jack Johnson in exchange for Andreas Englund who is also a defender.

This doesn't impact the salary cap of the Avalanche much, but does bring in a veteran who was along for the Stanley Cup ride last season as one of the top-six defencemen on Colorado. He signed a one-year, $950,000 deal with the Blackhawks in the offseason and even celebrated alongside his former Avalanche teammates this season in the banner raising. Now he hopes to repeat the magic of last season.

Johnson has recorded just four assists in 58 games and logged nearly 20 minutes a game. This trade comes after Erik Johnson was injured and is considered week-to-week.

The Blackhawks get a younger defenceman in Englund who is also an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He is just 27 years old and should find some more playing time in Chicago. He has suited up for 36 games this season for the Avalanche and has recorded three assists while playing 11:15 per game. He is a very physical defenceman with over 100 hits on the season. He has also already totaled more games this season than in his previous four. The Blackhawks will likely try to sign Englund before free agency.