Predators trade Johansen to Avalanche

*Photo from NHL.com*

   Here comes another pre-draft trade. The Colorado Avalanche have acquired C Ryan Johansen from the Nashville Predators in exchange for the rights to C Alex Galchenyuk, according to announcements from both teams.

   Johansen has two years and $16 million left on a 8 year, $64 million contract he signed with the Predators prior to the 2017-2018 season. The Predators will retain half of the remaining salary owed to Johansen as part of the trade.

   Last season, Johansen missed 27 games due to injury which required surgery. When Johansen was on the ice, he scored 12 goals and had 16 assists, averaging 15:46 of ice time per game while suiting up for 55 games in the regular season for the Predators, who fell short of the playoffs.

   Colorado GM Chris McFarland said of landing Johansen that "Ryan is a talented, veteran center who helps our top six. 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."

   In Colorado, Johansen appears set to take over the role of number two center after the club lost Nazem Kadri to the Calgary Flames in free agency last season and has center JT Compher set to hit the open market come July 1. Johansen was chosen with the 4th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

   Since debuting with the Blue Jackets, Johansen has played in 12 seasons, split between Columbus and Nashville. He has 189 goals and 336 assists, averaging 17:25 of ice time with a -5 rating in 842 regular season games. He has an additional 19 goals and 35 assists in 67 career playoff games, spanning 8 years.

   The Predators get the rights to Galchenyuk in the deal, who will become a free agent on July 1. In the past 6 seasons, Galchenyuk has suited up for 7 different teams, including two teams in both the 2019-2020 and shortened 2021 seasons. The deal also marks the 6th different time Galchenyuk has been traded in his career.

   Galchenyuk appeared in 11 games last season for the Avalanche, going without a point and averaging 7:06 of ice time per game. He spent the majority of the year with the AHL Colorado Eagles, recording 16 goals and 26 assists.

   As a result of the trade, the Avalanche now have just under $16 million available in cap space before free agency opens. The Predators have approximately $19.5 million in cap space.