Chris MacFarland is a genius for the Ryan Johansen trade
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
The trade of Ryan Johansen to the Philadelphia Flyers turned out to be a complete fleece job. Chris MacFarland proved to be a genius for the Ryan Johansen trade.
After a solid start, the wheels quickly fell off the train for the veteran center, acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators last June for depth forward Alex Galchenyuk.
Literally.
The experiment clearly failed, so the Colorado Avalanche traded Johansen to the Philadelphia Flyers in March in exchange for Sean Walker and a conditional first-round pick.
We have acquired defenseman Sean Walker and a fifth-round draft pick in 2026 from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Ryan Johansen and a first-round selection in 2025. pic.twitter.com/0kZVJNBNIh— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 6, 2024
It may not have been intended to be a fleece job, but that’s what it turned out to be. The 31-year-old Johansen claimed to be injured once he arrived in Philadelphia. He has yet to wear a Flyers uniform, and his career is likely over. Furthermore, Flyers officials were unaware that Johansen was dealing with an injury. Chances are, the Avalanche may have been in the dark, too.
Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere provided a gloomy update on Johansen on April 19.
“All I can tell you is I don’t expect him to be back,” Briere told Philly Hockey Now. “I don’t know, exactly, the situation. We’re dealing with him on the medical side. The thing for him is getting him back to be able to play at this time. He doesn’t think he can play hockey. I wish I had a better answer for you. We need to get him better to figure out if there’s even a remote chance of him dressing for the organization.”
Ryan Johansen didn't miss a single game for the Avalanche when he was on their roster.Now it sounds like there's a chance his last NHL game could have come in a Colorado uniform.https://t.co/34L5B2ltyU— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) June 23, 2024
The specifics of Johansen’s injury were initially shrouded in mystery until it was revealed the 31-year-old was dealing with a hip injury. Moreover, it was rumored the former No. 4 overall pick was challenging to get along with in Colorado, and that was also the case when he was a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In retrospect, it couldn’t have worked out better for the Avalanche. The decision to move Johansen allowed them to acquire Casey Middelstadt, a significant upgrade at the center position, which also permitted Colorado to extend Middlestadt on Tuesday. The 25-year-old signed a three-year contract extension to remain in the Mile High City, securing the talented 2C for $5.75 million a season, a relatively team-friendly figure in today’s market.
"I'm happy it happened pretty quick and now just focus on the rest of the summer." - Casey Mittelstadt on his three year contract with the @Avalanche #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/FuSd1ErvKH— 92.5 FM - Denver's Altitude Sports Radio (@AltitudeSR) June 26, 2024
Philadelphia, in the meanwhile, remains on the hook with Johansen, who enters the final season of an eight-year, $64 million contract ($8 million AAV) he signed with the Predators in July 2017. He can then become an unrestricted free agent. However, no team is likely to pick him up.
As for the Avalanche, albeit they had to fork over a first-round pick to get rid of Johansen, they can shift their focus to building up the team for next season. ...
Want the trending hockey news in your inbox daily?.
Just add your email, and we'll start sending you the most important hockey news of the day.
