Avalanche Defenseman Waives No-Movement Clause for Expansion Draft

While a buyout loomed it appears that won't be the case in Colorado as Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson has waived his no-movement clause, setting himself up to be exposed to the Seattle Kraken expansion draft.

According to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, Johnson informed the Avalanche recently he would be willing to waive his clause in order for the team to protect some other assets.

As was expected, #Avs defenseman Erik Johnson has officially waived his no-movement clause for the expansion draft, per a league source. Colorado is not required to put him on their protection list for the Seattle expansion draft.

Johnson still has a modified no-trade clause.
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) July 13, 2021

As Baugh would go on to mention, this helps the Avalanche tremendously. It allows for general manager Joe Sakic to protect Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Samuel Girard and potentially Ryan Graves.

Johnson has been railed by injuries lately as he only appeared in four games last season. The previous year he recorded 16 points in 59 games and is certainly free falling down the team's depth chart. At a $6 million cap hit, there's no chance the Kraken select him. He's signed through the 2022-23 season, and is likely to finish out his contract with the Avalanche.