The long-running contract dispute between Ryan Johansen and the Philadelphia Flyers has officially been settled — and it’s the Flyers who came out on top. According to insider Darren Dreger, an arbitrator ruled in favor of Philadelphia in a grievance filed by the NHLPA after the team terminated Johansen’s contract last summer, citing a “material breach.”
The events that led to the Flyers cutting ties with Ryan Johansen
Johansen’s exit from the Flyers was unusual from the start. Philadelphia acquired the veteran center from the Colorado Avalanche at the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for defenseman Sean Walker. Johansen had been active with Colorado right up until the deal, even participating in the Avalanche’s morning skate the same day the trade was finalized.Once in Philadelphia, things quickly soured. The Flyers reportedly had no plans to use Johansen in their NHL lineup and attempted to assign him to their AHL affiliate. However, Johansen claimed he was injured and did not report to the minors. The Flyers apparently believed the injury claim was a way to avoid playing in the AHL, and he never suited up for the organization at any level for the rest of the season.At season’s end, Philadelphia terminated the final year of Johansen’s contract, which was set to pay him $8 million in 2024–25. That salary had been split between the Flyers and the Nashville Predators, who had retained part of his cap hit in an earlier trade to Colorado.
Why the ruling matters for the Flyers and the NHL
The arbitrator’s decision means the Flyers — and Nashville — are both free from the cap obligations tied to Johansen’s deal. It also sets a precedent for how NHL teams might handle situations where they believe a player has violated contract terms.For Johansen, the ruling is a major setback in a career that once saw him as one of the league’s top centers. The 13-year veteran and 2014–15 NHL All-Star has amassed 202 goals and 578 points in 905 games, but recent seasons have been marked by declining production and off-ice complications.Also Read: NHL Trade Rumors: Edmonton Oilers are considering bold goalie trade involving Detroit’s prized prospect Sebastian CossaWhile the Flyers can now move forward without financial repercussions, Johansen faces an uncertain future in the league — and his next step could determine whether his NHL career continues at all.
