Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz announced Saturday morning that the Predators have dealt veteran forward Ryan Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Alex Galchenyuk.
The Predators will retain 50% of Johansen’s $8 million cap hit. He is currently signed to an eight-year, $64 million contract that will expire following the 2024-25 season, when he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Johansen, 30, is going into his 13th NHL season. During the 2022-23 campaign, he recorded 12 goals and 28 points in 55 games. Johansen missed around 12 weeks of action after undergoing surgery on his right leg back in February.
Initially drafted fourth overall in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Vancouver product has appeared in 842 games with the Blue Jackets and Predators in that time, notching 189 goals and 366 assists for 555 points. On the postseason front, Johansen has registered 54 points in 67 Stanley Cup playoff games.
“On behalf of the Predators organization, we want to thank Ryan for his contributions to our team and community over the last seven-plus years,” Trotz said in a statement. “He played a large role in our franchise’s accomplishments since arriving in January 2016, helping lead us to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, the 2018 Presidents’ Trophy, back-to-back Central Division titles in 2018 and 2019 and several postseason appearances. Ryan also dedicated a considerable amount of time to the Predators Foundation and helped us grow the game in Middle Tennessee, including his work with youth hockey in our community. We wish Ryan all the best in Colorado.”
Meanwhile, the Predators acquire Galchenyuk, a pending unrestricted free agent. The 29-year-old appeared in 11 games last season for the Avs’ registering zero points. Galchenyuk has bounced around a lot throughout the last handful of years. The former third overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft has yet to find a permanent home, making stops in Arizona, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Ottawa and Toronto. In 654 NHL games, he has recorded 354 points.
During the 2022-23 campaign, Galchenyuk spent most of the season with the Avs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. He recorded 42 points in 42 games and ranked second for team scoring. The Preds will now look at getting Galchenyuk locked up on a new deal.
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