In a surprising move, the Philadelphia Flyers have placed forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers "due to a material breach," the team announced on Tuesday. The Flyers intend to terminate Johansen's contract, which would erase the $4 million he is owed for the 2024-25 season. However, the termination can only take place if Johansen clears the unconditional waivers on Wednesday.

Johansen, who was acquired by the Flyers just before the trade deadline on March 6 from the Colorado Avalanche, did not have the opportunity to play any games for Philadelphia following the trade. The move to immediately place him on waivers was met with confusion among fans and analysts alike.

Sources indicate that the Flyers had actively tried to trade Johansen prior to the deadline but failed to find any takers, despite being willing to retain a portion of his salary. General manager Daniel Briere remained tight-lipped when questioned about Johansen's absence from the NHL roster, stating that the team had "a different vision at this point."

It is worth noting that Johansen and Flyers coach John Tortorella previously crossed paths during their time together in Columbus during the 2015-2016 season. Reports suggest that the relationship between the two was less than harmonious, leading to Johansen's eventual trade to the Nashville Predators in January.

Following the trade deadline, the Flyers attempted to send Johansen to their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but were informed that he had a hip injury. This news came as a surprise to the Flyers management, as Johansen had appeared in every game for the Avalanche prior to the trade. In fact, his last game for Colorado saw him log around 10 minutes of ice time before being subbed off towards the end of a resounding victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

In March, Johansen traveled to Philadelphia to consult with doctors from the Phantoms, indicating an ongoing issue that kept him sidelined for the rest of the season. This injury-riddled campaign resulted in Johansen tallying just 23 points (13 goals and 10 assists) in 63 games for the Avalanche.

If the contract termination is successful, it will not only relieve the Flyers of the $4 million burden but also remove the same amount from the Nashville Predators' books. The Predators had originally dealt Johansen to Colorado on June 24, 2023, with Nashville retaining half of his salary. Furthermore, this move will provide some much-needed salary cap relief for the Flyers, who are currently operating with a narrow margin above the cap.

However, the process will not be without obstacles. It is expected that Johansen, represented by Kurt Overhardt, will file a grievance through the NHL Players' Association within the allotted 60-day time frame. Overhardt, who also represents former Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier, traded earlier this year, has yet to issue a comment regarding Johansen's situation.

As the hockey world eagerly awaits the outcome of Johansen's clearance on unconditional waivers, the Philadelphia Flyers are hopeful that this move will grant them the flexibility they need to navigate the salary cap and make necessary roster adjustments for the upcoming season.