Ryan Johansen has cleared waivers. The Philadelphia Flyers can now terminate his contract. Furthermore, Johansen has 60 days to appeal.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Johansen Clears Waivers
The forward was placed on unconditional waivers on Tuesday. Whether or not the Flyers terminate his contract will be found out soon. However, if they do, Johansen is prepared to file a grievance. The Flyers have not commented, but have indicated they will present their case if needed.
Injuries Have Derailed Things in Philadelphia
Johansen was traded to the Flyers last March around the trade deadline. Due to an injury, he never did end up playing a game for the Flyers. He has been recovering from the injury this off-season. Moreover, he does carry a cap hit of $4 million for the Flyers. Also, the Nashville Predators, who originally signed Johansen to the current contract he is playing under before trading him in the Alex Galchenyuk deal, will also save the $4 million of his contract that they had retained when he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
Johansen’s agent Kurt Overhardt released a statement on Tuesday.
“Ryan Johansen has a severe hockey injury that requires extensive surgery which has been scheduled,” it read. “Since being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan has worked in good faith with the club, its medical staff, and authorized third party physicians. The Flyers’ attempt to terminate Ryan’s contract is disappointing. We’ve been in contact with the NHLPA and will defend Ryan and protect his rights.”
Settlement Possibility Arises
If Johansen files a grievance, the NHL and/or the Flyers may agree to a settlement to dissipate the situation as quickly as possible. Johansen is certainly within his rights to file a grievance if he feels he has been wronged. Furthermore, the Flyers have the right to do what is best for their franchise, provided what their ethical and within the legal parameters of the business. Hopefully civility will prevail and an agreement can be reached between the two parties.
