Avalanche reunite with Jack Johnson in trade with Blackhawks

The Avalanche have brought back a familiar face on their back end.

Colorado acquired defenseman Jack Johnson from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for blue-liner Andreas Englund, the team announced Sunday.

Johnson skated in 13 playoff games with the Avalanche last season and averaged 11 minutes per contest during Colorado's Stanley Cup run.

The 36-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $950,000 cap hit. He put up four assists, 96 blocks, and 75 hits in 58 games with the Blackhawks this season while averaging the third-most ice time on the team (19:50).

Johnson joined the Avalanche on a professional tryout prior to the 2021-22 campaign and made the team's opening-night roster. He put up one goal and nine points in 74 regular-season games with Colorado.

Englund, 27, has three assists in 36 games this season while averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time.