If Erik Johnson needed extra motivation going into the 2011-12 season, the Semyon Varlamov provided him with it. Colorado traded their first round pick in 2012, along with a second round pick in one of the next two drafts, in exchange for Varlamov. That's a big gamble, considering that the Colorado Avalanche were the second worst team in the NHL last season. However, Johnson has a different view. "It's not going to be a (high) pick. It's going to end up being a great trade for us. People are saying we got the short end of the trade and they're happy because they think we're going to finish at the bottom of the league - and we're not going to do that this year," Johnson said. Of course, talk is cheap, but Johnson has been doing much more than just providing quotes this summer. He felt that he was "a little too top-heavy" in past seasons, so he's focused on lower body exercises and improving his footwork. Johnson had 29 points last season, but we wouldn't be surprised if he bounced back with a 40-point campaign.