Confirmed with Link: Flyers Great Ryan Johansen Placed On Waivers For Purpose Of Terminating Contract Due To "Material Breach" (NHLPA Files Grievance 9/26)

[DancingPanther]

Lets not forget Torts is the unofficial 3rd leg of the management triumvirate. They've said as much. Its no coincidence that all of this is happening while the biggest asshole in Hockey is here.

Bed => made

 

[FLYguy3911]

Didn't Briere immediately say after they acquired him that he wouldn't be playing for the Flyers? He was vague about the details but pretty clear he wasn't going to play. It was kinda weird from the jump.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1825932184349233402

IDK if this comes through. It’s from a page on the Preds site. It claims that RyJo was healthy enough to do some serious dancing over the weekend. Also joking about being injured.

Another horrendously named Flyers podcast?

 

[Hollywood Cannon]

I sure do wonder why he was never going to play for the Flyers despite having a hole at center down the stretch.

Truly a mystery.

 

[JojoTheWhale]

Didn't Briere immediately say after they acquired him that he wouldn't be playing for the Flyers? He was vague about the details but pretty clear he wasn't going to play. It was kinda weird from the jump.

What I do remember is that the quotes all along have been flat out weird. Things like this:

“He claimed to be injured when we traded for him, so we had him see the doctors,” Flyers general manager Danny Briere told Philly Hockey Now in a phone interview. “They found an injury, so now he’s going to be rehabbing. You can’t send down a player who’s injured, so he’s going to be doing rehab until… we don’t know when.

“That’s about all I can say at this time, or all that I have. So, he’s back on our roster doing rehab and trying to get better.”

He “claimed” to have an injury doesn’t feel accidental. But they also found one. I’m sure you can find an injury on everyone if you look hard enough, but it sure didn’t seem like any rush to get him back.

 

[04hockey]

dwarf toss Johansen.....AND his agent

DRAMA does not belong in ice hockey

 

[DancingPanther]

What I do remember is that the quotes all along have been flat out weird. Things like this:



He “claimed” to have an injury doesn’t feel accidental. But they also found one. I’m sure you can find an injury on everyone if you look hard enough, but it sure didn’t seem like any rush to get him back.

Tortorella flu

 

[Beef Invictus]

I am not trying to absolve the Flyers of being idiots. My question is the guy played 63 games for Colorado. Why would he keep a hip injury a secret? Could he keep it to himself for the time he was in Colorado? I am not ready yet to say the Flyers are 100 percent at fault

I mean, it would still be 100% the fault of the Flyers for electing to cancel a contract for a guy getting surgery for being injured as they claim he is not injured. And if it is not bullshit that they jumped to this path because he wasn't in a wheelchair at his wedding, oh boy

 

[Beef Invictus]

dwarf toss Johansen.....AND his agent

DRAMA does not belong in ice hockey

The Flyers should stop making drama then

 

[Curufinwe]

Did a quick scroll so forgive me for positing this if it’s already been brought up…

How does everyone feel our medical staff is going to do under legal scrutiny?

Kind of a weird question because Johansen's injury status really has nothing to do with them because he never played for the Flyers or the Phantoms. He played 63 games in a row for Colorado, then said he was too injured to report after the trade, and also too injured to be bought out this summer. Now he's been recorded busting moves on the dancefloor. So I'd worry more about his camp will do under scrutiny.

 

[Beef Invictus]

I am sure the Flyers' lawyers have been over this with a fine toothed comb, and probably consulted with the league before doing this.

Let's run through a quick timeline here.

RyJo plays every game, 63 of them, for Colorado, from October to March 4th.

March 6th, Flyers trade for him, fail to find a taker in a flip even with 50% retained, cuz he sucks.

March 7th, Flyers demote him without him playing a single game for them.

RJ proceeds to refuse to report, claiming injury.

This alleged injury is severe enough to sideline him the rest of the season, but he doesn't schedule his surgery until... What? Just before camp? Five and a half months after the injury was disclosed? What was he doing in those Five and a half months?

C'mon, you aren't all this gullible are you? Guys 100% trying to play the LTIRetirement system to get all his money without the work. Problem is, you have to actually be hurt for that to work, not just in danger of being forced to play out your contract in the AHL because you suck.

The injury clauses in the SPC are below; Worth a read even if you think the Flyers are in the wrong. They have probably jumped through a lot of hoops behind the scenes to get here.
5. (a) Should the Player be disabled or unable to perform his duties under this SPC he shall submit himself for medical examination and treatment by a physician selected by the Club, and such examination and treatment, when made at the request of the Club, shall be at its expense unless made necessary by some act or conduct of the Player contrary to the terms and provisions of this SPC or the rules established under Paragraph 4. At any time a physician selected by a Club makes a determination as to whether or not a Player is disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player for purposes of this Paragraph 5 of this SPC, such physician shall evidence such determination by fully completing the form attached to the CBA as Exhibit 25-A, which shall be provided to the Player at the time such determination is made and immediately provided to the Club as well. Upon receipt of such fully completed form, the Club shall send an electronic copy forthwith to the Player, his Certified Agent, the NHL, and the NHLPA (the "Recipients"), which shall contain the language from CBA Exhibit 25-A contained in the "Message to Player", provided, however, that the Club's failure to include such language shall not affect the timeframes set forth in this Paragraph 5, or otherwise prejudice the Club.

(b) If the Player, in the judgment of the Club's physician, is disabled or is not in good physical condition at the commencement of the season or at any subsequent time during the season (unless such condition is the direct result of any injury sustained during the course of his employment as a hockey Player with the Club, including travel with his team or on business requested by the Club) so as to render him unfit to play skilled hockey, then it is mutually agreed that the Club shall have the right to suspend the Player for such period of disability or unfitness, and no compensation shall be payable for that period under this SPC.

(c) If the Player is injured during the course of his employment as a hockey Player with the Club, including travel with his team or on business requested by the Club, the Club will pay the Player's reasonable hospitalization until discharged from the hospital, and his medical expenses and doctor's bills, provided that the hospital and doctor are approved by the Club. This approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

(d) It is also agreed that if the Player, in the sole judgment of the Club's physician, is disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player by reason of an injury sustained during the course of his employment as a hockey Player, including travel with his team or on business requested by the Club, he shall be entitled to receive his remaining Paragraph 1 Salary and Signing Bonuses due in accordance with the terms of this SPC for the remaining stated term of this SPC as long as the said disability and inability to perform continue but in no event beyond the expiration date of the fixed term of this SPC. In consideration of the payment of such Paragraph 1 Salary, as well as payments made by the Club to fund the Hospital, Major Medical, Visioncare and Dental Plan, career ending disability policy and serious disability policy and other consideration (including the payment of salary referenced herein, where applicable), the Player does hereby covenant that in the event he receives full payment of a claim under such career ending disability policy or serious disability policy, he personally releases and will release, and will cause his corporation if a corporate contract is involved to release, the Club, the League, the NHLPA, all other Clubs, the insurance carrier, and the servants, employees, officers and agents of each of the above from any and every additional obligation, liability, claim or demand for any additional salary or other payments, arising out of or relating to such injury or the treatment thereof, including without limitation liability in tort, and extending to all damages, whenever arising.

(e) In the event that the Player wishes to seek a second opinion in respect of the Club Physician's determination regarding the Player's fitness or unfitness to play, the Player shall provide electronic notice to the Club (unless the Player provides notice by any other means to the General Manager, Assistant General Manager or the Head Athletic Trainer) that he is seeking a second opinion pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the SPC by no later than 5:00 pm New York time on the third day after the electronic notice referred to in Paragraph 5(a) above is sent, except that, if the notice referred to in Paragraph 5(a) above is sent after 5:00 pm New York time the Player shall have until 5:00 pm New York time on the fourth day to provide such notice. Upon receiving notice that the Player is seeking a second opinion, the Club shall promptly provide the Player its complete medical file on the Player in respect of the Player's condition that is the subject of the Club Physician's determination. The Player must obtain a second opinion within five (5) days (or later only upon showing of good cause) of the electronic notice from the Club.

(f) The physician consulted by the Player ("Player's Physician") in accordance with Paragraph 5(e) must make a determination as to whether the Player is disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player and shall evidence such determination by fully completing the form attached to the CBA as Exhibit 25-A, which shall be provided to the Player at the time of the examination, with an electronic copy sent forthwith to the Club and the Recipients. The Club Physician and the Player's Physician must consult as expeditiously as possible and, in any event, by no later than 5:00 pm New York time on the third day after the Player is sent electronic notice of the determination by the Player's Physician (referenced in this Paragraph 5(f) above) (or later only upon a showing of good cause).

(g) (i) If, after consulting as provided for in Paragraph 5(f), the Club Physician and the Player's Physician agree that the Player is either disabled and unable to perform, or not disabled and able to perform, his duties as a hockey Player, their agreed-upon determination shall be evidenced by fully completing the form attached to the CBA as Exhibit 25-B (as set forth in Paragraph 5(g)(i)(iii)). Such determination shall be conclusive, final and binding upon the Club and the Player, absent a showing of improper interference with the procedures set forth in CBA Section 17.7 and Paragraph 5 of the SPC.

(ii) If after consulting as provided for in Paragraph 5(f), the Club Physician and the Player's Physician cannot agree on whether the Player is disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player, they shall each evidence such disagreement by fully completing the form attached to the CBA as Exhibit 25-B (as set forth in Paragraph 5(g)(iii)).

(iii) Pursuant to either Paragraph 5(g)(i) or 5(g)(ii) above, the Player's Physician shall complete his/her portion of Exhibit 25-B first and then shall send such form to the Club Physician. The Club Physician shall then complete his/her portion of Exhibit 25-B and then shall send such fully completed form to the Club, the Player's Physician and the Recipients. (iv) If the Club Physician and the Player's Physician cannot agree on whether the Player is disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player pursuant to Paragraph 5(g)(ii) above, they shall confer and agree on an independent physician to examine the Player. The independent physician must be selected as expeditiously as possible and, in any event, within the time frame referred to in Paragraph 5(f) above (or later only upon a showing of good cause). If the Player's Physician and the Club Physician are unable to select the independent physician within such period, the independent physician shall be selected jointly by a medical designee appointed by the NHL and a medical designee appointed by the NHLPA. That selection shall take place as expeditiously as possible, but not later than 5:00 pm New York time on the second day after referral to the NHL and NHLPA medical designees.

(h) Following the selection of the independent physician pursuant to Paragraph 5(g)(iv), the NHLPA (with a copy sent forthwith to the Club and the Recipients) shall provide the independent physician with a completed form set out in CBA Exhibit 25-C. The Club also shall send to the independent physician a copy of the medical file that it had forwarded to the Player pursuant to Paragraph 5(e). The Player shall direct the Player's Physician to forward to the independent physician a complete copy of his medical file in respect of the condition that is the subject of the Player's Physician's second opinion pursuant to Paragraph 5(h). The Player must submit himself to examination, and the independent physician must examine the Player, within five (5) business days of his selection (or later only upon a showing of good cause). The independent physician shall make a determination of whether the Player is disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player and evidence such determination by fully completing the form attached as Exhibit 25-A, which shall be provided to the Player at the time of the examination and an electronic copy sent forthwith to the Club and the Recipients.

(i) The independent physician's determination as to whether the Player is disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player shall be conclusive, final and binding upon the Club and the Player, absent a showing of improper interference with the procedures set forth in CBA Section 17.7 and Paragraph 5 of the SPC.

(j) If, pursuant to Paragraph 5(g) or Paragraph 5(h) a Player examined in connection with Paragraph 5(d) is declared to be unfit for play by reason of an injury sustained during the course of his employment as a hockey Player, including travel with his team or on business requested by the Club, he shall continue to receive the full benefits of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 5(d). If such Player is declared to be physically able to play and refuses to do so, he shall be liable to immediate suspension without pay. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Player is deemed to have had a separation from service (as defined in Treas. Reg. section 1.409A-1(h)) and, prior to such separation, the Player has not been disabled for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code, any amount payable pursuant to this Paragraph 5(j) shall be paid over the Buy-Out Period prescribed by Paragraph 13(d) (i.e., over twice the remaining term of the SPC).

(k) If either the Club or the Player fail timely to comply with any of the requirements set forth in Paragraph 5, absent a showing of good cause, then such non-complying party shall be deemed to have acceded to the other party's position in such dispute.

(l) The Club and Player shall cooperate, and shall cause their respective physicians to cooperate, for the purpose of making medical records available to any physician who examines the Player pursuant to this Paragraph 5.

(m) For purposes of clarity, the Club Physician, the Player's Physician and the independent physician shall be charged only with determining whether the Player is disabled and unable to perform his duties as a hockey Player. Any other determinations, including whether a Player's disability is a hockey related injury, shall be within the jurisdiction of the Impartial Arbitrator.

(n) In connection with a disability which is not caused by an injury sustained during the course of his employment as a hockey Player including travel with his team or on business requested by his Club, the procedures set forth in this Paragraph 5 shall also apply to the Club Physician's determination regarding the Player's physical fitness to return to play. If the Player is declared to be fit for play, by the Club Physician and the Player's Physician, or by the independent doctor, he must perform his duties hereunder and shall be entitled to receive the full benefits of this Agreement. If he is declared to be not physically able to play, he shall not be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement until he has been declared to be physically fit to play by the independent medical specialist.

(o) The reasonable costs incurred by the Player in the course of obtaining a second opinion pursuant to this Paragraph 5 shall be borne equally by the Club and the Player.


And the termination clauses:
14. The Club may also terminate this SPC upon written notice to the Player (but only after obtaining Waivers from all other Clubs) if the Player shall at any time:

(a) fail, refuse, or neglect to obey the Club's rules governing training and conduct of Players, if such failure, refusal or neglect should constitute a material breach of this SPC.

(b) fail, refuse or neglect to render his services hereunder or in any other manner materially breach this SPC.

In the event of termination under Paragraph 14(a) or (b) the Player shall only be entitled to compensation due to him to the earlier of the date such notice is personally delivered to him or the date such notice is e-mailed to him.

In the event this SPC is terminated by the Club while the Player is "away" with the Club for the purpose of playing games the installment then falling due shall be paid on the first weekday after the return "home" of the Club.

So he found a doctor willing to commit malpractice and fraud to steal a few mil from a team? Why will this doctor be ending his career?

Why are we also pretending like we haven't seen examples of guys playing through significant injuries for a long time? It isn't far fetched. Richards and Simmonds leap to mind. It's a thing hockey culture glorifies. Someone willing to play through injury for the NHL may not be willing to play through the same thing for the minor leagues.

Now, the timing of when he's getting surgery makes it look like he's trying to string it out as long as he can and I think we all know why; he doesn't want the AHL and he doesn't want Tortorella. But without more serious proof he's faking it, the "it's all faked" theory is a lot more convoluted at present than the "The Flyers have blown it yet again" theory.

 

[flyersnorth]

What I do remember is that the quotes all along have been flat out weird. Things like this:



He “claimed” to have an injury doesn’t feel accidental. But they also found one. I’m sure you can find an injury on everyone if you look hard enough, but it sure didn’t seem like any rush to get him back.

It does feel like very deliberate language.

There's also a huge jump between "they found an injury" which as you say, would be likely on just about any hockey player, to "the injury is so severe that even though he was able to play the previous 63 games, he is no longer able to play hockey again." And it only surfaced once he was assigned to the AHL.

 

[Beef Invictus]

I want to know why the Flyers willingly signed up to take a cap dump and now are mad that they have to deal with taking on a cap dump and in the process are openly shitting on yet another player.

We can ignore everything else that's still unconfirmed. We know this part is happening. What the hell kind of management is that?

 

[JojoTheWhale]

It does feel like very deliberate language.

There's also a huge jump between "we found an injury" which as you say, would be likely on just about any hockey player, to "the injury is so severe that even though he was able to play the previous 63 games, he is no longer able to play hockey again." And it only surfaced once he was assigned to the AHL.

It’s almost like we’ll never know what happened when and people are just proving themselves to be fools by having to tell everyone they know exactly what did because they can make an incomplete timeline or one guy said something one time or they can pull 4,000 words out of the CBA.

Understanding what you don’t know is a vital skill.

 

[Curufinwe]

I want to know why the Flyers willingly signed up to take a cap dump and now are mad that they have to deal with taking on a cap dump and in the process are openly shitting on yet another player.

We can ignore everything else that's still unconfirmed. We know this part is happening. What the hell kind of management is that?

You're ignoring the fact that they had the expectation of being able to buy him out this summer.

Confirmed with Link: - Sean Walker & 5th round pick ('26) traded to Colorado for 1st round pick ('25 - top 10 protected) & Ryan Johansen - Johansen assigned to Lehigh Valley

It's awesome the trade deadline was moved to Wednesday TSN and Sportsnet hate days like this. :laugh:

forums.hfboards.com

Cap Hit Calculations​

SEASON	INITIAL BASE SALARY	INITIAL CAP HIT	SIGNING BONUS	BUYOUT COST	POST-BUYOUT EARNINGS	SAVINGS	CAP HIT ( PHI)	CAP HIT ( NSH)
2024-25	$8,000,000	$8,000,000	$0	$2,666,667	$2,666,667	$5,333,333	$1,333,334	$1,333,334
2025-26	$0	$0	$0	$2,666,667	$2,666,667	-$2,666,667	$1,333,334	$1,333,334
TOTAL	$8,000,000	$8,000,000	$0	$5,333,333	$5,333,333	$2,666,667	$2,666,668 (50%)	$2,666,668 (50%)

 

[Beef Invictus]

You're ignoring the fact that they had the expectation of being able to buy him out this summer.

Maybe they should have handled him better instead of f***ing around.

Johansen is famously unlikable for a reason, and the Flyers seem to have assumed he'd just roll over after being embarrassed and not assert every bit of leverage he has to the limits.

If they'd simply shut up, planted him in the 13/14 spot of the roster at worst, and ridden it out for a month he'd probably be bought out now. But they just couldn't do that. They had to be petty. They needlessly hit a known dbag in his pride and are now aghast that he's hitting back when he owes them nothing. They played with fire.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

This move is all part of a deal to bring Askarov to Philly. Nashville is so thrilled with the extra 4 mill in cap space they give the flyers Askarov for a 3rd round pick and a gritty autograph

 

[thedjpd]

I want to know why the Flyers willingly signed up to take a cap dump and now are mad that they have to deal with taking on a cap dump and in the process are openly shitting on yet another player.

We can ignore everything else that's still unconfirmed. We know this part is happening. What the hell kind of management is that?

Seriously? They took the cap dump to buy him out. Why is that so hard?

He doesn’t want that or be sent to AHL so he’s claiming injury.

All this “I don’t know why the flyers willingly took him on if they didn’t want to deal with it” is again just blaming the org.

The dude was healthy enough to play, then when told he was going to be gone or sent to AHL, claims injury.

 

[ponder719]

I want to know why the Flyers willingly signed up to take a cap dump and now are mad that they have to deal with taking on a cap dump and in the process are openly shitting on yet another player.

We can ignore everything else that's still unconfirmed. We know this part is happening. What the hell kind of management is that?

Beef, I normally agree with you, but you're asserting facts that aren't in evidence here.

The facts we have publicly:

1) The Flyers voluntarily took Johansen in the Walker trade.
2) Johansen, who had played in 60+ games while in Colorado, reported an injury too severe to allow him to play in Allentown, resulting in his being placed on LTIR following a medical evaluation.
3) The Flyers are now claiming a material breach of contract in an attempt to terminate the deal. We don't definitively know what they claim the material breach is.
4) Johansen's agent claims a) that this is a hockey injury, b) it requires surgery, and c) that Johansen has worked in good faith with the Flyers and all authorized medical staff. We don't know whether or not this is true, only that Overhardt claims it to be.

Anything about the Flyers FO's mental state, the reason they're frustrated, any of that isn't definitive fact, it's your assessment of the situation, colored by your opinion that they are petty and small and can do nothing right. As I said, I normally agree with that, but let's be real, Johansen's no peach either, so the truth likely lies somewhere in the middle.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Seriously? They took the cap dump to buy him out. Why is that so hard?

He doesn’t want that or be sent to AHL so he’s claiming injury.

All this “I don’t know why the flyers willingly took him on if they didn’t want to deal with it” is again just blaming the org.

The dude was healthy enough to play, then when told he was going to be gone or sent to AHL, claims injury.

Truly, no NHL player has played through injury. It isn't far fetched to buy it is possible he'd be willing to play through injury for the NHL but not for the AHL.

The Flyers were pointlessly petty to the guy, as they are prone to doing. It is biting them.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Beef, I normally agree with you, but you're asserting facts that aren't in evidence here.

The facts we have publicly:

1) The Flyers voluntarily took Johansen in the Walker trade.
2) Johansen, who had played in 60+ games while in Colorado, reported an injury too severe to allow him to play in Allentown, resulting in his being placed on LTIR following a medical evaluation.
3) The Flyers are now claiming a material breach of contract in an attempt to terminate the deal. We don't definitively know what they claim the material breach is.
4) Johansen's agent claims a) that this is a hockey injury, b) it requires surgery, and c) that Johansen has worked in good faith with the Flyers and all authorized medical staff. We don't know whether or not this is true, only that Overhardt claims it to be.

Anything about the Flyers FO's mental state, the reason they're frustrated, any of that isn't definitive fact, it's your assessment of the situation, colored by your opinion that they are petty and small and can do nothing right. As I said, I normally agree with that, but let's be real, Johansen's no peach either, so the truth likely lies somewhere in the middle.

I've made it clear Johansen is no peach. All the more reason for the Flyers to avoid being petty. There were obvious risks to taking this guy on knowing his personality and knowing how he and the coach feel about each other. The public humiliation did nothing to ease the team through a thorny situation.

 

[deadhead]

They're not pointlessly petty, he screwed them.

They put up with it last season because it had no real cap implications.

But the "injury" meant they couldn't buy him out this summer, freeing $2.7M or so in cap room when they needed it. So this is more than refusing bus rides for $8M, it's blocking a buyout which would free him to play elsewhere.

Why did they take him in the first place - uh, people whine about not getting a 3rd or 4th rd pick for Hathaway but would have them pass on Johansen and give up a 1st rd pick? Colorado didn't have many options to create cap room at the TDL.

 

[Ironmanrulez]

I will read this thread another day, when i have the time. But all in all i want to say something i find very interesting:

The new era of orange was created with the intention of bringing players to Philadelphia who want to play for the Flyers and wants to live in Philadelphia.

All iam seeing is:

We love you so we extend you over market value and for too many time or with stupid NMC.

Or

We hate you and we do anything in our power to make your life miserable!




Iam not seeing how this approach will get more high end players want to come to Philadelphia! This approach will lead to more Agent and Players getting away from our Franchise. They will have more draftpicks not selected cause they dont want to be here. Or Players quit cause of the coaching and the wrong doings in the Franchise!

I dont care for Johansen but its another questionable decision in a long line of repeated questionable decisions. And in the real world they are adding up!

 

[Beef Invictus]

They're not pointlessly petty, he screwed them.

They put up with it last season because it had no real cap implications.

But the "injury" meant they couldn't buy him out this summer, freeing $2.7M or so in cap room when they needed it. So this is more than refusing bus rides for $8M, it's blocking a buyout which would free him to play elsewhere.

Why did they take him in the first place - uh, people whine about not getting a 3rd or 4th rd pick for Hathaway but would have them pass on Johansen and give up a 1st rd pick? Colorado didn't have many options to create cap room at the TDL.

They were pointlessly petty. Why publicly shit on the guy and reveal he has no chance here? A major part of sports management is managing personalities and wounding the pride of a guy known to be full of himself with levers to pull isn't a smashing success on that front.

Pretty sure we had people asking why they were doing that at the time, too. Not exactly hindsight on it being poor taste. They pooped on their floor, stomped on it, and are now mad there is poo on their foot. If they hadnt stomped on it then eventually the butler would have handled the poo on the floor and it would have gone away.

We can blame the poo for being gross poo. We can blame the Flyers for choosing to stomp on it.

 

[ponder719]

I've made it clear Johansen is no peach. All the more reason for the Flyers to avoid being petty. There were obvious risks to taking this guy on knowing his personality and knowing how he and the coach feel about each other. The public humiliation did nothing to ease the team through a thorny situation.

Perhaps not, but I don't really see what's so humiliating about "we know you and Tortorella don't get along, let's get through the next 15-20 games, we'll buy you out, and you can go wherever you like at that point." Dozens of veterans go through that every year, many of them better players and better people than Johansen. When he decided he wasn't going to play ball, the Flyers, being who they are, decided they weren't either. (I don't doubt that their repeated clashes with Kurt Overhardt didn't help on this front; neither side was likely particularly interested in being charitable to the other given prior dealings.)

Now, of course, Johansen has a reason to dig his heels in, because instead of being paid $5.34M to go away and find another contract in a place he'd actually like to be, he's put every penny of his money at risk. It seems a poor business decision to me, especially since, if the Flyers win the case, Johansen likely will find it a hell of a lot harder to find another NHL job, having defrauded his current employer. Had he just taken a buyout, none of that would be hanging over his head.

 

[Hollywood Cannon]

They're not pointlessly petty, he screwed them.

They put up with it last season because it had no real cap implications.

But the "injury" meant they couldn't buy him out this summer, freeing $2.7M or so in cap room when they needed it. So this is more than refusing bus rides for $8M, it's blocking a buyout which would free him to play elsewhere.

Why did they take him in the first place - uh, people whine about not getting a 3rd or 4th rd pick for Hathaway but would have them pass on Johansen and give up a 1st rd pick? Colorado didn't have many options to create cap room at the TDL.

Did the Flyers not screw Johansen? Were they not the ones that said he'd never play for them despite the reported fact that Johansen wanted to work with Torts?

The Flyers had a hole at center at that point in the year. Tortorella could have swallowed his pride but he's incapable of doing that because he's a manchild.

The organization brought this upon themselves due to their hubris.