Avs' Johnson Out Indefinitely

The Colorado Avalanche may have some decisions to make here and quickly.  This weekend, the Avalanche lost two key defensemen, including pool defender Erik Johnson, for an indefinite period of time and now they have to ask themselves whether or not they are really in the mix for a playoff spot, 5 points out of the wild card, 6 points out of 3rd in the Central Division, as the trade deadline rolls up.

Johnson is the most significant loss, as he ranks high among the league leaders in ice-time, not to mention having 7 goals and 22 points in 56 games.  Johnson was lost in the game against Edmonton on Sunday, suffering an upper-body injury, and there is no timetable for his return at the moment, which has to have some significant doubts rolling through the team's management.

For Grant, midway through Monday's action, has dropped down to 7th place, but only 1 point out of 5th, 33 points out of the money.  Grant's defense hasn't been very good this season, ranking 22nd in the pool with only 72 points this year, so he'll have to count on his forwards to pull the weight, if his team is going to secure any money this season.