Will This Be Erik Johnson's Swan Song With The Avalanche?

His agent, Pat Brisson, talks about his longtime client

Erik Johnson is close to returning to the Colorado Avalanche “way ahead of schedule”, Jared Bednar said the other day, and we should all be thankful for that. When his broken ankle injury was first announced, I was wondering if we’d ever see him play in an Avs sweater again. If that never happened, it would have been a true shame.

The question now: will we see EJ in an Avs sweater beyond this season? If he does - and I can still see that happening - it will be for a lot less money than the $6 million cap hit he has on this, the final year of his contract.

I doubt EJ will be hurting for funds, even well after his playing career is over. Not only has he made a lot of money in his career ($62 million, according to CapGeek), he’s got his hands in other businesses, including as a part-owner of race horses.

Johnson, who turned 35 yesterday, grew up in Bloomington, Minn., and has maintained a residence in Denver the last 12 years. But he spends most of his time, when he isn’t working, in Southern California, where he has a home.

It wouldn’t shock me, if the Avs don’t sign up to a new deal after this year, that he tries to play another year or two in SoCal, either for the Kings or Ducks. His agent, Pat Brisson, is based in Beverly Hills, and the two have a close relationship - personally and professionally.

I asked Brisson yesterday what he thinks EJ will do when his playing days are over. I was expecting an answer like “Vineyard owner” or “full-time race horse owner” or something more away from hockey. But no, Brisson said. He think Johnson will “want to keep one foot in hockey.”