The latest addition to the Colorado Avalanche is excited to get comfortable with his new team, which is an advantage of being traded during the offseason. Forward Ryan Johansen [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/avalanche-acquire-johansen-from-predators-for-galchenyuk] said he’s glad he’ll have time to adjust and be ready to make an impact on the team when the season starts. “I think I can be a great asset to fit in this group. You know it’s a team sport but as an individual, I know what I’m capable of and I know how I can play in this league,” Johansen said in a media conference on Monday. “And for me to fit in best I think it’s just going to be me at the top of my game.” Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan Johansen explained why it's an advantage to be traded in the offseason as opposed to during the season. Johansen is planning on being back at that level following recovery from a leg surgery he had this past season. He said he’s had to make adjustments with his training and rehab but was able to get back on the ice at the beginning of June a couple of times a week for about three weeks. “I’d say I’m super close to 100% now and hopefully it’ll be by August, I think just full-on normal, be myself,” Johansen said. “It’s been encouraging to have confidence with moving over that injury and moving past it all.” No doubt the team is excited to have him here, as well. Norris Trophy finalist Cale Makar told NHL.com’s senior writer Dan Rosen [https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-awards-buzz-news-and-notes-june-25/c-345004708?tid=280503612] that he loves the deal for the Avalanche. "He has that edge to his game that everybody wants nowadays," Makar said. "We played them quite a bit, but I'm not overly super familiar with his game, so I'm really excited to see how he fits into our lineup. He can be a very versatile player. The one thing I remember about him, too, is he wins quite a bit of face-offs. Having a big body like that that can play gritty and be productive night in and night out will be a huge piece for us." Johansen said he doesn’t have any close friends on the team but previously played with Jack Johnson and spent some time with Andrew Cogliano and Devon Toews. He and Toews worked out together with other NHL players in Vancouver at some point in his career. But he’s already had guys message him about joining the team and he’s looking forward to getting to know his teammates and getting to work.
