A Closer Look at the Ryan Johansen Trade
The Predators traded Ryan Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche. What does this move mean for Nashville and Colorado moving forward?
Incoming GM Barry Trotz announced today that the Nashville Predators have traded Ryan Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche. The Predators retain 50% of Johansen's salary for the next two seasons and receive the rights for center Alex Galchenyuk.
Moving the Johansen contract
This deal frees up valuable cap space for the Predators. Nashville will retain 50% of Johansen's remaining contract which amounts to $4 million dollars for the next two seasons. While salary retention is not often viewed as a win, saving $8 million dollars over the next two years benefits the franchise. Getting what has been thought to be an immovable contract off the books without adding draft picks and prospects to sweeten the deal is an undeniable win.
Although Johansen didn't become that consistent game changing center Poile envisioned when he signed him to his 8 year, $64 million dollar deal in 2017, losing him means Nashville will need players like Cody Glass and Tommy Novak to step up. Novak was perhaps the biggest surprise of last season scoring 17 goals and 43 points, third best on the team in points. After a handful of early season healthy scratches, Glass settled into a full time role on the team. At the end of the season he and Phil Tomasino played quality minutes together, and Glass is likely to be an important piece for Nashille's future.
As the team looks at a reset, the extra $4 million dollars a year could possibly be used to lock in RFAs Glass or defenseman Alexandre Carrier. Perhaps even more intriguing is using that cap space to make a big offseason move. Trotz isn't going to make a trade unless he can get a player who will accelerate the reset. With more financial breathing room and plenty of draft capital, Nashville's options just expanded.
Rights to center Alex Galchenyuk
Galchenyuk was picked third overall in the 2012 draft by the Montreal Canadiens. In his first six seasons with the Habs, Galchenyuk performed well scoring 108 goals and 255 points. He has since spent time in Arizona, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Ottawa, Toronto, and back to Arizona before joining the Colorado Avalanche last season. Galchenyuk hasn't seen that early season success in any of his later landing spots.
Galchenyuk played only 11 games for the Avs last season and didn't score a point.
"Galchenyuk didn't quite fit into the Avs system after the organization has higher hopes for him," said The Hockey News' Avalanche writer Colleen Flynn.
Galchenyk is a UFA as of July 1, and it's unlikely that the 29 year old Milwaukee native will be a major piece for the Predators moving forward.
What Johansen can do for the Avalanche
Despite coming off of an injury, Johansen will be a valuable addition to the Avalanche roster. His skill in the faceoff circle and creative playmaking make him a great fit in a second line center role.
“Ryan is a talented, veteran center who helps our top six,” Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said. “He gives us size in the middle of the ice and brings leadership and experience to our roster. We look forward to adding him to our team.”
The Avalanche currently have the best odds to win the 2024 Stanley Cup according to Bet MGM, and adding Johansen to their roster gives the Avs another offensive weapon to bring those odds closer to a reality.
Who won this trade
It's very rare that both teams come out with a win in a trade, but today's Johansen move may be that elusive win-win. Colorado adds an offensive playmaker to their top six for an affordable $4 million dollars over two years. Despite retaining salary, the Predators gain valuable cap space that Trotz can potentially use to make another big move.