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The Avalanche have made the first "big splash" of the 2023 NHL offseason today, sending the UFA rights to Alex Galchenyuk to the Nashville Predators for center Ryan Johansen. The Predators have also retained 50% Johansen's contract for the remaining 2 years. Let's take a look at how this impacts the NHL roster, and what Ryan Johansen can possibly bring to next years Avalanche team.
Ryan Johansen
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 218 lbs
Position: C
Shoots: R
Draft Year: Drafted 4th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, 2010
22-23 Season:
55 Games
12 Goals
16 Assists
28 points
Ryan Johansen was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets, after Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, and Erik Gudbranson. He ranks 5th in points from this draft class, and 4th in total assists, with 555 career points in 842 games. At the time, he was highly touted, and projected as a big center with shiftiness, and the ability to pass and shoot with aplomb. He started his career off a bit slow, but really came out of his shell during the 13-14 season, scoring 33 goals, and then followed that up with a 26 goal, career high 71 point season in 14-15. The Blue Jackets then moved him for big defenseman Seth Jones, and joined the Nashville Predators, where he has had an up and down ride through his NHL career. He is currently 30 years old, and joins the Colorado Avalanche with the hopes of bringing his game back to a better level, and the Avs seem to see him as a top 6 center, likely filling the role that JT Compher had last year, and Nazem Kadri before that.
I'm feeling optimistic.
Ryan Johansen has been playing for the Preds, who generally are known for a more defensive style of game. This may play into his numbers being up and down the past few seasons. One really big positive that RyJo brings to the Avalanche squad is something they've really struggled hard with: faceoffs.
Johansen is a career 53.4% in the dot, and last year, posted the best year of the career at 59.2%. The Av's best faceoff man last year who took near the same amount of faceoffs was JT Compher, at 48.8%, and for my money, I don't think he returns the the team next year.
Johansen also brings more of a cycle game strength to a team that plays so well on the rush. He also is a solid PP player, and should help the Av's in possibly the bumper position on PP1 as a right hand shot, and could slide right into the JTC spot of taking those key faceoffs, and sliding to the bumper.
Now the risks.....
Injuries:
RyJo had a brutal injury last year, having his leg cut by a skate (Landeskog flashbacks..?) and from what I've seen, he avoided a serious Achilles tendon slice, luckily enough. He already wasn't the fleetest of foot, but between this and his age, there are concerns.
Performance:
I've speculated that being on a defensive Predators team may have sunk his numbers a bit, but what if RyJo is just declining? Time will tell on this one, I guess.
Motivation and Compete Level:
The next question mark is on his compete level. While I haven't personally watched every game he's played, from what I've seen from the Preds fan base, he can have moments where he will just stop skating and start coasting. This can be a cause for concern, on a team with puck hounds, how will he fit in? Or will he be the yin to the yang?
This is a move that comes with some risk and reward. Risk, RyJo has trouble playing up to speed, or at all, and his offensive output continues to drop. The Avalanche are saddled with his contract for the next two years.
Reward: He fits in well, he produces at a 50-60 point pace while augmenting the Avalanche attack, winning faceoffs all the way to a Stanley cup.
Another bonus, with the retention, if this doesn't pan out, its much easier to move an 8 million dollar contract that's already been cut in half to 4 million, and then the Av's could either buy it out, retain half for a year and trade it, or a few other options.
The rumor mill is starting up, and another trade has been made, with Sean Durzi going from LA to Arizona, and another rumored deal between St Louis and Philly, with Kevin Hayes possibly involved.
Let's get it going!
Colorado Avalanche Blogger • 
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