The Nashville Predators won’t have Ryan Johansen back this season, as the team officially released his post-surgery timeline. The veteran forward will be out for 12 weeks following a procedure on his right leg.
Johansen’s leg was cut by the skate blade of Quinn Hughes when the Predators faced the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. The injury is an unfortunate end to another disappointing season for the 30-year-old forward.
Last year, it seemed Johansen (and much of the Predators’ forward group) had found his way back to form, scoring 26 goals and 63 points in 79 games. That was his best goal-scoring total since the 2014-15 season, when he was still with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Alas, it didn’t last, as Johansen’s numbers plummeted back to earth this year, with just 12 goals and 28 points in 55 games.
Playing fewer than 16 minutes a night for the first time since his rookie season, Johansen’s $8M cap hit looks one of the worst in the league. The deal extends through 2024-25, and his future is now also clouded by major injury.
For the Predators, removing Johansen from the lineup shouldn’t really change their deadline plans. Yes, they could now add a ton of salary, with a significant amount of current space, and added LTIR flexibility on top of that. But the team still doesn’t look ready to compete for the Stanley Cup as currently constructed.
David Poile has gone on record to say they won’t be buyers, and Johansen’s injury should only confirm that further. Whether they decide to sell core pieces or just nibble around the outside of the roster remains to be seen.
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