Predators Freed Up From Ryan Johansen's Cap Hit, Can Use Space in Askarov Trade

The Predators received a gift and some cap space to work with and can use it to make a key addition in an Askarov trade this year.

The Philadelphia Flyers placed former Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a material breach. If there is no grievance from Johansen on the termination, the Predators would be freed up of the $4 million retained salary from him for the final year of his contract.

Johansen was traded to the Colorado Avalanche prior to last season with 50% retention on his $8 million AAV deal. He was then moved to the Flyers at the deadline where they tried to bury his contract. Instead of buying out the contract or leaving it on the books to go to the LTIR, this decision by the Flyers has greatly helped Nashville.

Assuming there is no money given back to Johansen if he filed a grievance within 60 days, the Predators would then have $4 million worth of cap space to work with. Two spots in the lineup still need to be addressed and weren't able to this offseason to this point because of cap constraints. Nashville needs a legitimate top-6 forward or a top-4 defenseman. Ideally, a center and a right defenseman.

So how is this going to happen? There just so happens to be a young goalie with high trade value that just asked for a trade. The Predators now have the cap space to bring back someone who will really help the team this season if a trade is pulled off involving Yaroslav Askarov.

The Predators look like a good team right now who could do some damage in the playoffs, but being able to acquire a top-6 forward or top-4 defenseman to shore up the team immediately could go a long way, especially if a trade comes before training camp so the new player can form chemistry and the Askarov saga can conclude.

This is a gift for the Predators, even if the entire $4 million isn't freed up. Nashville can do a lot with that type of money mid-season at the latest given what Barry Trotz has already been able to do for this team. It's unexpected, but there will be no complaints from the Predators. They must take advantage and receiving an NHL-ready player who can help the team win now should be the goal.

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