NHL reportedly approved the termination of Ryan Johansen's contract in a shocking way

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Daniel Lucente
August 26, 2024 (1:29 PM)

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It seems the NHL sent the Philadelphia Flyers a "wink" emoji, supposedly their seal of approval for the team to terminate Ryan Johansen.

Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Flyers placed forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers, seeking to terminate his contract. The move came after Johansen failed to report to Philadelphia following his trade, claiming that he suffered a serious injury. In response, Johansen's agent, Kurt Overhardt of KO Sports Inc., plans to file a grievance in the coming days.

Elliotte Friedman reports that the Flyers likely wouldn't have pursued contract termination without some support from the league. It appears that someone from the NHL sent the Flyers a response in the form of a "wink" emoji, stating that it was okay to terminate the contract.

Ryan Johansen may have breached his contract by exacerbating a pre-existing ankle injury while riding a hoverboard on the Ocean City Boardwalk. To make matters worse, videos have surfaced of him lifting his bride over his head at his wedding.

However, the responsibility will fall on the NHL and the Flyers to prove that Ryan Johansen breached his contract. Friedman suggests that a settlement is the most likely outcome, as neither the NHL nor the NHLPA typically favors anything otherwise.

Depending on the severity of Ryan Johansen's injury, it's possible that he can still engage in certain activities, even if playing hockey isn't one of them. It's worth noting that he was likely just trying to enjoy his wedding celebrations. As for the hoverboarding, fans are wondering if he is not allowed to enjoy himself a little. Seems like pretty innocent activities anyone would engage in.

In the end, this situation is just unfortunate. From rumors of tension between Ryan Johansen and head coach John Tortorella to the possibility of a contract breach, a lot remains uncertain, but clarity will likely prevail over the coming weeks.

Source: Blades of Steel
Philadelphia Flyers likely receivers NHL approval before termination of Ryan Johansen contract