The Colorado Avalanche currently has 12 (!) defensemen battling for six — make it seven or eight if you will — spots on the NHL roster. However, how many of those players are really battling for roster spots, and how many spots are guaranteed?
Erik Johnson is without a doubt the team’s No. 1 defender right now. As long as he’s healthy, he will play — and he will play on the top pairing. His spot is guaranteed.
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