Ryan Johansen has officially announced his retirement from professional hockey, concluding a 13-season career in the NHL. The news was shared on the Predators’ official team podcast on Thursday.
Career Overview
The 33-year-old center began his journey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Portland Winterhawks. His impressive rookie season, where he scored 69 points, led to his selection as the fourth overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010 NHL Draft.
Johansen made his NHL debut during the 2011-12 season, recording 14 goals in his first 107 games. However, he found his stride in the 2013-14 season, achieving a remarkable 33 goals and 63 points. This performance helped Columbus secure only their second-ever playoff appearance.
Transition to Nashville
In a significant trade during the 2015-16 season, Johansen was dealt to the Nashville Predators. He quickly became the team’s top center, contributing to a successful period in franchise history. Johansen played for the Predators during three consecutive playoff seasons from 2016 to 2018, culminating in a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.
Contract and Performance
After his first successful years with Nashville, Johansen signed a lucrative eight-year, $64 million contract. Despite a strong start, his point production began to decline. He only achieved a 60-point season twice after signing, averaging 18 goals and 54 points per 82 games during his later years.
In the 2022-23 season, Johansen’s ice time decreased and he registered just 28 points in 55 games, contributing to Nashville’s missed playoff run.
Final Seasons and Retirement
In a bid to manage their salary cap, the Predators traded Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche. However, his performance faltered, and he struggled to maintain a top-six role. He recorded 13 goals and 23 points over 63 games, marking the lowest offensive output of his career.
Further complications arose after Johansen was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he failed a physical exam due to persistent hip issues. The Flyers placed him on unconditional waivers, leading to a dispute over his contract status. Despite the challenges, an arbitrator ultimately ruled in favor of the Flyers.
Johansen concludes his career with over 900 games played and a scoring line of 202 goals, 376 assists, for a total of 578 points. His 362 points in a Nashville jersey secure his place among the franchise’s top scorers.
El-Balad extends its congratulations to Ryan Johansen on a distinguished career and wishes him all the best in his retirement.
