Breaking NHL News: Arbitrator Decision Is In on Flyers vs. Ryan Johansen

According to insider Darren Dreger, an arbitrator has ruled on the case of the Philadelphia Flyers vs. Ryan Johansen over the team's termination of his contract last year. And the decision goes in favor of the Flyers.

Sources say an arbitrator has ruled in favour of the Philadelphia Flyers in a grievance filed by the NHLPA following the termination of Ryan Johansen’s contract in August, 2024. The Flyers cited a “material breach” as grounds for termination.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 12, 2025

The Flyers had cited a “material breach” as grounds for their termination of Johansen's contract. This grievance was filed on the player's behalf by the NHLPA.

Philly had acquired him for Sean Walker at the trade deadline from the Colorado Avalanche, for whom Johansen had played 63 games that season, including one just a couple of days before the trade. In fact, he even took part in the morning skate at Ball Arena in Denver right before the trade was announced.

The Flyers weren't interested in inserting him into their lineup after the trade, and tried to send him to the minors, but Johansen claimed he was injured. The Flyers obviously felt that he used that as an excuse to avoid reporting to the AHL. He never suited up for the Flyers or their affiliate for the rest of the season.

At the end of the '23-'24 campaign, Philly terminated his contract, which would have paid him $8 million, split between the Nashville Predators (who had retained on a previous trade to Colorado) and the Flyers, for the 2024-25 season. Both teams remain off the hook for that cap hit as a result of the reported arbitrator's decision.

Johansen was an All-Star for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2014-15 season, and in 13 years in the league, had 202 goals and 578 points in 905 games.