Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
Erik Johnson's seven-year, $42 million contract extension kicks in next season, tying him up through the 2022-23 season — when the Avalanche defenseman will be 35.
The deal implies that he is expected to be a top-pair, cornerstone player at the position, matching up against top lines, logging major minutes and contributing at both ends of the ice.
Going into the final game of the Avalanche's disappointing 2015-16 season against Anaheim at the Pepsi Center on Saturday, Johnson — who made $3.75 million this season — has 11 goals and 15 assists but also is a minus-19, second-worst on the roster to Jarome Iginla's minus-23.