Elliotte Friedman Shares Details About Flyers & Ryan Johansen Saga

The Philadelphia Flyers waived forward Ryan Johansen on August 20 with the intent to terminate his contract, citing a "material breach." The move raised significant questions about the circumstances leading up to the decision, particularly given Johansen’s recent history of injuries.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman provided insight into the situation in his latest 32 Thoughts column published on August 25.

"Agent Kurt Overhardt is preparing for a fight, and the Flyers wouldn’t pursue this without a behind-the-scenes wink from the NHL," Friedman wrote.

Friedman suggests that the Flyers had carefully reviewed their options before moving forward with the waiver.

"I don’t like to question injuries, especially since anyone who's played 905 games (like Johansen) is guaranteed to have legitimate ones," Friedman wrote. "I’m told the key will be everyone navigating how he went from not missing games and practices in Colorado to how he was unable to play for either Philadelphia or AHL Lehigh Valley.

"The timing is a little weird, which probably has something to do with video of Johansen dancing at his wedding . Again, I wouldn’t try to handicap this, except for saying the NHL and NHLPA hate risking precedent from an arbitrator, so a settlement is always the preference without an air-tight case."

Johansen played 63 regular-season games for the Colorado Avalanche last season before he was traded to the Flyers at the NHL trade deadline on March 6.

Johansen, 32, was a significant acquisition for the Flyers. It cost the franchise parting ways with veteran defenseman Sean Walker, although Philadelphia netted a 1st-round pick in return from Colorado.

Even then, it's fair to assume that the Flyers expected Johansen to collaborate on the ice instead of calling it a season right after landing in Philadelphia following his participation in 60-plus games before the trade.

Related: Flyers Waive 900-Game Veteran, Generate Instant Controversy