(Nashville) The Colorado Avalanche filled the second-line center position by acquiring Ryan Johansen from the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

Colorado sent former Canadian Alex Galchenyuk to Nashville.

Johansen will be 31 on July 31. He had 12 goals and 28 points last season in 55 games.

The Predators will absorb half of Johansen’s eight million salary in each of the next two seasons.

The trade could help the 2022 Stanley Cup champions get back on track.

“Ryan is a talented veteran,” Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said in a statement. He has a solid size and he brings leadership and experience. »

Colorado lost in the first round of the playoffs in April to the Seattle Kraken.

Captain Gabriel Landeskog will miss the 2023-24 season following right knee surgery.