Avalanche HC Jared Bednar discusses Jack Johnson's injury, status

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar spoke with Ryan Boulding of NHL.com about Jack Johnson's injury.

"I don't think it's serious. I have him as day-to-day," Bednar said.

Johnson was scratched late on Tuesday night before their game one matchup with the Seattle Kraken. Erik Johnson took his spot on the blue line in the 3-1 loss.

Jack Johnson had signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks last summer after winning his first Stanley Cup with Colorado. The Michigan alum then returned to the Avalanche in a midseason trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. Overall, the former third overall pick had two goals and six assists in 83 games split between both teams.

While Jack Johnson doesn’t possess the offensive abilities that he once did and has struggled at times in his own end, he is likely the best fit for Colorado’s third pairing. If he can play in Game 2 on Thursday, it would likely bump Erik Johnson back out of the lineup. The 2005 first overall pick has struggled this season after putting up a respectable 25 points just last year.

The Avalanche currently find themselves down 1-0 to the lower-seeded Kraken as they begin the defense of the Stanley Cup. They are already missing Gabriel Landeskog and Josh Manson and can ill afford to lose any more bodies as they try to even their series with Seattle.