Colorado Avalanche makes surprise trade for Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen a week before free agency opens
- The one-for-one deal will keep Nashville half of Johansen’s $8 million a year salary
- Alex Galchenyuk, the piece that goes to the Predators, is an unrestricted free agent
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Ryan Johansen from the Nashville Predators on Saturday in exchange for pending unrestricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk. Trading was one-to-one.
The Predators retain 50 percent of Johansen’s contract, which has two seasons left and an average value of $8 million per year.
The 30-year-old Johansen scored a total of 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 55 games with the Predators last season. He missed the last 27 games after surgery on his right leg.
“Ryan is a talented, experienced center helping our top six,” said Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland.
“He gives us size in the middle of the ice and brings leadership and experience to our squad. We look forward to adding him to our team.”
The Nashville Predators traded Ryan Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche
In return, Nashville received pending unrestricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk
Johansen has a total of 555 points (189 goals, 366 assists) in 842 NHL games. Of that number, 533 games, 110 goals and 252 assists were with the Predators.
He was selected by the Blue Jackets with the fourth overall pick of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Johansen was traded to Nashville on January 6, 2016 in exchange for defenseman Seth Jones – who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks.
With the Predators, Johansen was announced as an alternate captain in the 2017–18 season – alongside lead captain Roman Josi and fellow alternate captain Filip Forsberg.
“On behalf of the Predators organization, we would like to thank Ryan for his contributions to our team and our community over the past seven years,” said Nashville’s new general manager, Barry Trotz.
“He’s been instrumental in our franchise’s performance since his arrival in January 2016, helping us to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, the 2018 Presidents’ Trophy, back-to-back Central Division titles in 2018 and 2019 and several post-season appearances.
“Ryan has also dedicated a lot 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.”
Johansen scored 533 games, 110 goals and 252 assists over eight seasons in Nashville
Galchenyuk, 29, will become an unrestricted free agent if he doesn’t agree to a deal with the Predators in the next few days.
The forward registered a minus-8 rating and failed to score a point in 11 games with Avalanche last season.
Galchenyuk scored a total of 354 points (146 goals, 208 assists) in 654 career games with the Montreal Canadiens, Arizona Coyotes, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Avs. He was selected by the Canadiens with the third overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft.
The NHL’s chaotic free broadcast period officially begins on Saturday, July 1 at noon.