Philadelphia Flyers’ forward Ryan Johansen has been removed from the team’s roster after being waived last week due to a “material breach” of his contract. The move, intended to terminate Johansen’s contract, has left many wondering why the Flyers decided to act now, especially after such a prolonged period of inactivity.
In his latest offseason edition of “32 Thoughts,” NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered insights into the situation. According to Friedman, the Flyers’ decision was not made lightly. “Agent Kurt Overhardt is preparing for a fight, and the Flyers wouldn’t pursue this without a behind-the-scenes wink from the NHL,” Friedman noted.
No team would risk such a move unless they were confident in their case, as the Flyers clearly were. Friedman elaborated, saying that the Flyers likely had a good understanding of their position after thoroughly reviewing the situation.
Friedman added, “I don’t like to question injuries, especially when someone like Johansen, who’s played 905 regular-season games, is guaranteed to have legitimate ones. I’m told the key will be determining how he went from not missing games and practices in Colorado to being unable to play for either Philadelphia or AHL Lehigh Valley.”
The timing of the waiver has raised eyebrows, particularly in light of a video showing Johansen dancing at his wedding. “The timing is a little weird,” Friedman acknowledged, “which probably has something to do with that video. Again, I wouldn’t try to predict the outcome, except to say that the NHL and NHLPA prefer settlements to avoid setting a precedent with an arbitrator.”
Johansen, 32, played all 63 regular-season games for the Colorado Avalanche last season before being traded to the Flyers at the NHL trade deadline on March 6. He was beginning to find his form in Colorado, but the trade, which brought veteran defenseman Sean Walker to Philadelphia in exchange for a first-round pick, interrupted that progress.
If Johansen insists that he played through a “severe hockey injury,” as his agent Overhardt claims, the NHLPA may face challenges in supporting his case.
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