In a stunning turn of events, Ryan Johansen has cleared waivers, giving the Philadelphia Flyers the green light to terminate his contract. This news comes as a shock to many in the hockey world, as Johansen was once considered a key piece for the Flyers after being traded to them last March.
Unfortunately, due to an injury, Johansen never had the chance to hit the ice for the Flyers. However, he has been diligently working on his recovery during the off-season. The center carries a hefty cap hit of $4 million for the Flyers, but with his contract now up in the air, that burden may be lifted.
Interestingly enough, the Nashville Predators, who initially signed Johansen to the contract he is currently under before trading him in the Alex Galchenyuk deal, will also benefit from this waiver clearance. The Predators will save the $4 million that they had retained when Johansen was traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
Johansen’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, released a statement on Tuesday, shedding some light on the situation at hand. It remains to be seen whether Johansen will exercise his right to appeal within the allotted 60 days. If he does, the NHL and the Flyers may come to a settlement to resolve the matter swiftly.
“If Johansen files a grievance, the NHL and/or the Flyers may agree to a settlement to dissipate the situation as quickly as possible,” said Overhardt. “Johansen is certainly within his rights to file a grievance if he feels he has been wronged.”
On the other side of the coin, the Flyers have the responsibility to do what is best for their franchise. They must act ethically and within the legal bounds of the business, while also considering the well-being of their team.
With so many moving parts in this situation, it is crucial that both parties approach the matter with civility and open minds. Hopefully, an agreement can be reached that satisfies everyone involved.
As the hockey world waits with bated breath to see how this drama unfolds, one thing is for certain – Ryan Johansen’s future hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
(Main photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
