An independent arbitrator sided with the Philadelphia Flyers in a ruling regarding the Ryan Johansen contract termination case.
A report in The Athletic broke the news regarding the outcome of the arbitration case one year after it was originally filed.
The Flyers terminated Johansen’s contract in August 2024. The termination was based on a “material breach.” The precise nature of that material breach is unclear. Nevertheless, said breach formed the basis for Johansen’s termination.
Johansen, unhappy with the decision, filed a grievance through the NHLPA. The contract termination voided the final year of Johansen’s contract, worth $8 million. At one point, the Flyers and the Colorado Avalanche agreed to split the cost of Johansen’s $8 million payout.
The Avalanche traded Johansen to the Flyers in March 2024. The trade was mostly a paper move as Johansen was swiftly sent to the AHL. After clearing waivers, Johansen refused to report to the Leigh Valley Phantoms.
Johansen’s argument was based on his recovery from hip surgery, and he could not report. Despite the claims, the Flyers moved to terminate his contract, setting off the dispute.
Now that the case has been settled, neither the Flyers nor the Avalanche will be on the hook for the final year of Johansen’s contract. The Nashville Predators also breathed a sigh of relief as they had retained on a previous deal. It remains to be seen if the 32-year-old might attempt a comeback at some point down the road.
Flyers gave Johansen a chance to play this past season
A piece in NHL.com from August 20, 2024, quoted Flyers GM Daniel Briere regarding Johansen’s injury situation. In the piece, Briere stated:
"If he's healthy he would be in [training] camp and have the chance to show us what he can do. If he's not and he needs surgery, then he'll have to go through that."
The comments underscore the Flyers’ willingness to give Johansen a shot to prove he could still play. However, his reluctance to suit up was based on his hip injury. It would appear that the injury/surgery situation became the bone of contention.
It’s unknown where Johansen’s injury has healed sufficiently for him to play in the NHL again. If it has, it would be interesting to see if any clubs would be willing to give Johansen another kick at the can.
If so, such an opportunity would be limited to a PTO or minor-league deal. Otherwise, Ryan Johansen’s 905-game NHL career could have come to an end rather prematurely.