Avalanche sign Jack Johnson to PTO

The Colorado Avalanche inked defenseman Jack Johnson to a professional tryout contract.

The 34-year-old appeared in 13 games with the New York Rangers last season but missed most of the campaign after undergoing core muscle repair surgery. The Pittsburgh Penguins bought out the remainder of Johnson's contract following the 2019-20 season before he inked a one-year pact with the Rangers.

Johnson, a third overall pick in the 2005 Draft, has played 950 career NHL games. He's accumulated 71 goals and 232 assists while playing with the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Penguins, and Rangers.

Colorado has a number of left-shooting defensemen signed for the upcoming campaign, including Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, Bowen Byram, and Ryan Murray. Johnson could provide the team solid depth at the position, but he's likely a long shot at making the roster right out of training camp.