Erik Johnson has signed a four year contract worth $15 million, the Colorado Avalanche have announced.

Johnson, whom the Avs acquired Feb. 2011 for Kevin Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart, struggled in the first part of last year but improved to become the leader on defense for the young Avs team.

The key now is for Johnson to continue to grow offensively while continuing to play solid, physical defense. As long as he keeps his feet moving, he will be able to adjust to anything the other teams throw at him.

At $3.75 million per year, Johnson could have a steal of a deal, especially if he blossoms into the Chris Pronger-type defenseman that he was pegged to be when drafted first overall in 2006.

With the signing the Avs have $17.89 million in cap space and are about $2 million from the cap floor.

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