The Philadelphia Flyers have made a bold and controversial move by placing veteran forward Ryan Johansen on waivers, aiming to end his contract.
According to team officials, this decision stems from a ‘material breach,’ a term that’s left fans and analysts alike speculating about what really happened.
Johansen, who has played in over 900 NHL games, was traded to the Flyers from the Colorado Avalanche back in March 2024.
However, he never got a chance to play for Philadelphia because of a hip injury.
Before the trade, Johansen had scored 13 goals and added 10 assists, making up 23 points in 63 games for the Avalanche.
When the Flyers got Johansen, they planned to put him on waivers so they could send him to their minor league team, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
But this plan hit a snag when Johansen revealed his hip injury, which wasn’t apparent while he was playing regularly for the Avalanche.
Consequently, this put Flyers’ GM Daniel Briere in a tough spot, unsure of Johansen’s future with the team.
In June, Briere mentioned that Johansen’s participation in training camp would depend on his health. And if surgery was needed, that would come first.
Fast-forward to August 20, and the Flyers decided to put Johansen on unconditional waivers, intending to end his one-year contract.
Originally an eight-year, $64 million deal, this contract was signed with the Nashville Predators in 2017.
When he was traded to the Flyers, Nashville was still paying half his salary, leaving the Flyers responsible for $4 million for the 2024-25 season.
As a result, ending his contract would free the Flyers from this financial obligation.
But Johansen’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, wasn’t happy about this. He labeled the decision “disappointing,” expressing frustration over the team’s handling of his client’s injury.
— KO Sports, Inc. (@KOSportsInc) August 20, 2024
Not to mention, Overhardt explained that Johansen had suffered a serious hockey injury necessitating surgery. He added that Johansen had cooperated with the Flyers, their medical team, and independent doctors.
Overhardt also mentioned they’ve reached out to the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) to protect Johansen’s rights, hinting that they might challenge the Flyers’ decision.
The Flyers, on the other hand, have stayed quiet about what exactly the “material breach” was that led to this drastic move.
Such silence has only fueled further speculation, with many questioning whether the Flyers appropriately managed Johansen’s injury and contract situation.
Amid the controversy, the entire situation has spotlighted how the Flyers handle injured players.
The fact that Johansen’s injury was bad enough to keep him from playing for the Flyers, yet didn’t stop him from playing regularly for Colorado before the trade, raises questions, to say the least.
Understandably, people are now wondering when the injury was first noticed and how everyone involved dealt with it.
As things stand, the Flyers’ decision to end Johansen’s contract could have long-lasting effects on both the player and the team.
If the contract termination holds up, Johansen will become a free agent, possibly ending his 13-year NHL career. During that career, he scored 578 points (202 goals, 376 assists) in 905 games and 54 points in 67 playoff games.
Now, everyone is waiting to see how this plays out—whether it will be resolved through legal channels, by the NHLPA, or another way.
The outcome could significantly affect Johansen’s future in hockey and the Flyers’ reputation in the league.
