Thank You, Ryan Johansen

In Saturday’s trade, Johansen was shipped off to Colorado.

Ryan Johansen is no longer a Nashville Predator. Before Saturday, he was one of the longest-tenured Predators on the current roster, joining the team in January 2016. Johansen’s trade that brought him to Nashville was an early blockbuster–a one-for-one swap with Seth Jones, sending the #3 pick and blueliner to Columbus. There’s even the slightly hysterical story about Jones and Johansen running into each other at the airport. In what world does that happen?

Johansen made an immediate impact with Nashville, scoring his first goal as a Predator against the Avalanche, funnily enough. Johansen saw his Predators eliminated in the second round in 2016 by San Jose, the eventual Western Conference Champions.

While the 2016-2017 season began a little weirdly and the Predators barely squeaked into the playoffs, Johansen’s work in the first and third rounds endeared him to many fans around the League. He absolutely imposed his will on Jonathan Toews in the series against Chicago. The third round was even better. The Anaheim Ducks were making a surefire Cup repeat attempt, and Ryan Johansen and Ryan Kesler of Anaheim quickly began talking shit to each other on the ice, even taking their arguments to social media.

Johansen on Kesler: ‘I don’t how you cheer for a guy like that’ – ESPN Video

When asked if Ryan Kesler has gone over the line in the Western Conference finals, Ryan Johansen says “it doesn’t make sense” how he plays the game.

ESPN.com

While these arguments were hysterical to watch (and re-watch), Johansen’s play in the first few games of the Anaheim series surely set the Predators up for success. A freak injury–compartment syndrome–took Johansen out in Game 4.

Many have speculated whether Nashville would have defeated Pittsburgh with a healthy Johansen in the lineup. Don’t forget that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were squaring up against newly promoted 1C Colton Sissons and AHLer Frederick Gaudreau. Johansen (and others) were sidelined for the Final, and it had to be tough to watch a mostly-AHL squad face off against the defending Cup champions. Nashville’s injury toll in 2017 was significant, and Sissons really did score in Game 6.

Johansen and P.K. Subban were fan favorites for their post-game high fives. For me (and other local writers), Joey was great to interview. Off ice, he was a visible figure in Predators Foundation events, including a memorable Christmas where he dressed up as the Grinch for a Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital visit.

The Predators said this about Johansen: “Johansen was a pillar in the SMASHVILLE community, dedicating a considerable amount of time to the Nashville Predators Foundation and its various initiatives, including Feeding the Frontlines, youth hockey clinics, annual charity holiday parties and patient visits at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, among others. Even while sidelined with a season-ending leg injury last season, he continued to be actively involved in the community in the aftermath of the Covenant School shooting, Teacher Appreciation Week and more.”

It really seemed that the writing was on the wall for Johansen in April when Barry Trotz gave an interview about his summer plans. He mentioned that Johansen would have to work very hard to “catch up” after his season-ending injury, and while I did not think this would involve a trade, I think Trotz did the best he could to dump half of Johansen’s contract. While Alex Galchenyuk likely will never be a Predator, Johansen will surely be suited up for Colorado in October…and it’ll be weird seeing him taking faceoffs for the Avalanche. I wish him the best of luck out west.

Thank you, Joey.