The Avalanche have made their first big move of the offseason. Colorado acquired center Ryan Johansen from the Nashville Predators on Saturday in exchange for pending unrestricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk. The Preds are also retaining 50 percent of Johansen’s salary.
Johansen, 30, is entering the seventh of an eight-year contract worth $64 million. His $8 million annual average value will be cut down to $4 million for Colorado in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. Johansen finished the 2022-23 season with 12 goals and 28 points in 55 games. The previous year, he had 26 goals and 63 points in 79 games before getting swept by Colorado in the first round.
“Ryan is a talented, veteran center who helps our top six,” general manager Chris MacFarland said. “He gives us size in the middle of the ice and brings leadership and experience to our roster. We look forward to adding him to our team.
The 2010 fourth overall selection of the Columbus Blue Jackets was later traded to Nashville during the 2015-16 season. He has a 53.4 percent career success rate in the faceoff circle, which includes a whopping 59.2 percent in 2022-23. The three-time 20-goal scorer and six-time 60-point producer will likely slot in as the second-line center.
