As hockey's biggest stars landed in Nashville for a week of glitz, glamour and new beginnings, a tenured Port Moody player was shipped out.
Ryan Johansen, after eight seasons with the Predators, was traded to the Colorado Avalanche last Saturday (June 24).
It'll be the third NHL franchise of the soon-to-be 31-year-old forward's 14th professional season.
His latest campaign ended after 55 games after his right leg was cut by a skate during Nashville's Feb. 21 home game against Vancouver, and underwent emergency surgery the next day.
Johansen recorded 12 goals and 28 points in the 2022–23 season.
"It's exciting that those guys believe in me and want me to be a part of this organization," Johansen said in a team statement following the acquisition.
"That's been a real exciting and encouraging thing about all of this going down, and the excitement for me to get to Colorado and get to work."
"Ryan is a talented, veteran centre who helps our top six [forward group]," Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland added.
"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."
Johansen was traded to the 2022 Stanley Cup-champion Avs in exchange for pending unrestricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk.
The Port Moody minor hockey alum has tallied 189 goals and 555 points in 842 NHL games to date, which has included seven trips to the playoffs with the Preds and a Stanley Cup finals' appearance in 2017.
Prior to joining Nashville, Johansen played 4.5 seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who picked him fourth overall in the 2010 NHL Draft.
"On behalf of the Predators organization, we want to thank Ryan for his contributions to our team and community over the last seven-plus years," incoming Nashville GM Barry Trotz said.
"He played a large role in our franchise's accomplishments since arriving in January 2016, helping lead 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."
The deal is also coming at a bargain cost, as the rebuilding Predators are retaining half of Johansen’s $8-million salary cap hit in each of the next two seasons.
Meanwhile, Nashville is set to host the 2023 NHL Draft tomorrow and Thursday (June 28–29) when some Tri-Cities hockey products could potentially hear their name called up to the big league.
Coquitlam's Thomas Milic and Jeremy Hanzel were listed in NHL Central Scouting's final report in April.
- with a file from The Canadian Press
