Nashville didn’t have to wait long until Ryan Johansen made his return to Bridgestone Arena this season, minus wearing a new uniform.
“It’s weird for sure not going to lie,” Johansen said. “Coming into town it felt like coming home, it’s been exciting, just trying to enjoy the moment so far and the time. My parents have come in, my girl is here so it’s been nice.”
The Predator’s new general manager Barry Trotz dealt Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche this summer in exchange for forward Alex Galchenyuk, a pending free agent who never came to town.
Nashville retained half of Johansen’s contract and owes him $4 million for the next two seasons until he signs a new deal.
“I think it means everything, It means everything to me,” Johansen said. “Right from day one it felt like I belonged here, didn’t feel like a coincidence that I ended up being traded here [to Nashville]. I could talk about a million people I ran into or got to know and became really close friends with and are so thankful for.
“Just from top to bottom such a special place to play and it’s not a secret anymore, everyone knows that,” Johansen said. “I’m just grateful [David Poile] gave me that opportunity to come here and we had a lot of good times. We made a lot of memories and I’m forever grateful for those.”
When taking a look back Johansen was a pinnacle piece to Nashville’s hockey history. During his time as a Predator, he led the organization with 48 points in postseason play in 61 games and then a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.
However, Johansen injured his leg in game four of the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks and wasn’t able to play in the final round but he still made a lasting impact on the Predators that will last a lifetime.
“I don’t think you could beat our run when we went to the finals,” Johansen said. “There’s been a lot, so many moments or times I met people, I would have to go with our cup run there and seeing how this city came together and it was mandatory wearing gold there for about a month around town.”
In his eight seasons with Nashville, he scored 362 regular season points in 533 games — ranking 3rd among all Predators skaters during his tenure — scoring 23 game-winning goals while winning 54.1% of his faceoffs.
He was known for his play-making abilities while holding defenders off the puck utilizing his 6-foot-3 frame, not to mention his reserve hits as well on the opposition.
Before joining the Avalanche Johansen played 35 regular season games against his new team scoring 24 points with one game-winner. He also played 10 playoff contests against Colorado scoring 7 points.
Looking back at the beginning of his time in Nashville he was traded when the Predators were still in search of a sole No. 1 centerman. Former GM David Poile made a one-for-one deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets sending defenseman Seth Jones the other way in order to bolster his roster.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Johansen’s Instagram.
The duo connected in an Ohio airport as Jones had just arrived and Johansen was going back the other way to Nashville.
Two days later Johansen scored in his debut with the Predators against his current team today.
After Nashville acquired Johansen they went on to a 22-13-7 record the rest of the way before losing to the San Jose Sharks in the second round of the 2016 playoffs.
Johansen’s time in Nashville, unofficially at the time, came to a close when he suited up against the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 21. He was cut by Quinn Hughes’ skate blade 14 shifts into the game.
While Johansen was out he was still having an impact. For Cody Glass he had someone to go to as he filled in for Nashville’s then-No. 1 center.
“Yeah he’s a great guy, I loved him, especially getting traded here and him playing with the Portland Winterhawks back in the day. I kind of knew of him and how great of a guy he was from other people telling me. He did a lot for me last year, he was always that safety net if things were going back he was always that calm cool collected guy, he was always happy he was nice to have in my corner and I’m grateful for him.”
He made a full recovery and so far has played in 16 games games scoring six goals and one assist with the Avalanche.
Tonight Johansen makes an emotional return as he takes the ice against an NHL team where he spent the last eight years of his life.
“Yeah, absolutely everything is new and it’s a new opportunity with a new club,” Johansen said. “Just trying to prove to these guys what I’m all about and what I can bring. Just enjoying that part of the process.”
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