Ryan Johansen Traded To Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche filled a large void today with the acquisition of center Ryan Johansen from the Nashville Predators in exchange for pending unrestricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk.  For the next two years, Nashville will retain 50% of Johansen’s $8 million per year contract. Galchenyuk’s contract was set to expire on July 1st. 

Galchenyuk And The Avalanche

Following a standout performance during a PTO at training camp, Galchenyuk spent the past year with the Avalanche and Colorado Eagles. He was released from his PTO and asked to stay in touch with the team after an injury following three games. Galchenyuk was brought back on another PTO and performed well enough to earn a one-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche. As Galchenyuk focused on improving his defensive skills, he emerged as one of the leading players on the Eagles. According to Coach Greg Cronin, he had made significant progress in his defensive game since he joined them in Loveland, which showed his improvement. 

Johansen Has a History 

Johansen has been designated as a top-six forward for the Avalanche, filling the void left by Nazem Kadri’s move to Calgary last season. This trade appears to be the perfect fit for Johansen and the Avalanche. The current General Manager, Chris MacFarland, was previously the assistant general manager in Columbus and was there when Johansen was drafted fourth overall in 2010. In 2012-13, Johansen played 40 games with the Springfield Falcons, where Coach Jared Bednar was his assistant coach. 

Johansen will fill a much-needed gap in the faceoff circle with a career 53.4 win percentage, an area that the Avalanche have been lacking for some time now. On the Nashville side of it, the Predators currently possess $19 million of available cap space, plenty of room to make some moves themselves. The Predators presently have 12 picks in the first three rounds over the next two Drafts- enough collateral to make a bold move or too, permitting a quick rebuild.

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Conclusion

It looks like both sides came out as winners. The Predators received a veteran forward in exchange while the Avalanche could gain a top-six forward at a reduced price. The negotiations with soon-to-be free agent J.T. Compher might not be over yet, but it could make things tough. He had his best year with 52 points and would be worth a contract of $4-5 million at least. The Avalanche will have work to do at the start of July no matter what. They must fill gaps in forward, defense, and backfill the Eagles.