Elliotte Friedman sheds light on Ryan Johansen's contract termination by the Philadelphia Flyers
Ryan Johansen unexpectedly had his contract terminated last week by the Philadelphia Flyers. We now have more information.
Following his acquisition by the Philadelphia Flyers, which came in the Sean Walker trade to the Colorado Avalanche at last year's deadline, Ryan Johansen refused assignment to the AHL and has not played a game.
The 6 foot 3 centreman spent the bulk of his career as a key piece of the Nashville Predators, but is now on the tail end of his time in the NHL. He has blamed injuries for not reporting to Philadelphia's AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley, and will be using that to fight the termination.
Didn't get a chance to ask Daly about Ryan Johansen, whose contract can be terminated by Philadelphia. He's got $8M remaining. Agent Kurt Overhardt is preparing for a fight, and the Flyers wouldn't pursue this without a behind-the-scenes wink from the NHL.
I don't like to question injuries, especially since anyone who's played 905 games (like Johansen) is guaranteed to have legitimate ones. I'm told the key will be everyone navigating how he went from not missing games and practices in Colorado to how he was unable to play for either Philadelphia or AHL Lehigh Valley. The timing is a little weird, which probably has something to do with video of Johansen dancing at his wedding. Again, I wouldn't try to handicap this, except for saying the NHL and NHLPA hate risking precedent from an arbitrator, so a settlement is always the preference without an air-tight case.
I don't like to question injuries, especially since anyone who's played 905 games (like Johansen) is guaranteed to have legitimate ones. I'm told the key will be everyone navigating how he went from not missing games and practices in Colorado to how he was unable to play for either Philadelphia or AHL Lehigh Valley. The timing is a little weird, which probably has something to do with video of Johansen dancing at his wedding. Again, I wouldn't try to handicap this, except for saying the NHL and NHLPA hate risking precedent from an arbitrator, so a settlement is always the preference without an air-tight case.
Source Sportsnet:
32 Thoughts: A collection of late off-season notes
32 Thoughts: A collection of late off-season notes
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 27 | 68 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman sheds light on Ryan Johansen's contract termination by the Philadelphia Flyers Do you think the Philadelphia Flyers will be successful in terminating Ryan Johansen's contract? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 61.8 % |
| No | 26 | 38.2 % |
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