In a surprising note from talking to the media on Friday afternoon, Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere said that forward Ryan Johansen’s NHL career could be over.
“All I can tell you is I don’t expect him to be back,” Briere said, in a quote transcribed by Philadelphia Hockey Now’s Jon Bailey. “I don’t know, exactly, the situation. We’re dealing on the medical side with him.
“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.”
Johansen never ultimately played a game for the Flyers, who acquired him on March 6 in a deal that sent Sean Walker to the Colorado Avalanche. Johansen was immediately placed on waivers, but the team was unable to assign him to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms due to an unspecified ailment.
The 31-year-old forward registered 13 goals and 23 points in 63 games, putting him on pace for just 30 points in a full 82-game slate. Johansen has scored at least 60 points five times in a season over his career, highlighted by a 71-point season with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014-15. He has another year left on his $4 million deal.
Johansen was drafted fourth overall by the Blue Jackets in 2010. The big forward was the NHL All-Star Game MVP in 2015, his lone appearance in the event. He has 202 goals and 578 points in 905 career regular season games over 13 seasons, and another 19 goals and 54 points in 67 playoff appearances.
Johansen could be destined to go on long-term injured reserve next year before officially retiring later on. According to CapFriendly, the Flyers have $3.823 million in projected cap space for 2024-25, with only veteran defenders Erik Johnson and Marc Staal to deal with on the UFA side. Blueliner Yegor Zamula is set to become an RFA, but should come close to around the league minimum he made this season.
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