Washington Capitals 2016 first-round pick, Lucas Johansen, will make his NHL debut against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. We know this now officially because Lucas’s older brother, Nashville Predators’ superstar center Ryan Johansen, posted an emotional tribute for him on his Instagram page.
Get your tissues ready.
By Ian Oland 5 months ago
The Nashville Predators had a special surprise waiting for its players when they arrived at their hotel rooms on Sunday.
They were greeted with framed pictures of their families on their nightstands as first reported by The Athletic’s Adam Vingan. Star forwards Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen shared photos of the sweet gesture on their Instagram Story.
“I’m not crying, you’re crying,” Duchene wrote.
NHL players could be separated from their families for as long as five weeks during the postseason. If a team reaches the Conference Finals, their families will be allowed to join them in September in the Edmonton bubble. Capitals players made their emotional goodbyes to their families over the weekend.
Ryan Johansen just hit the lotto.
Friday, the 24-year-old first-line center signed an eight-year, $64 million contract with the Nashville Predators that will keep the Canadian in Music City through the 2024-25 season. The Predators are coming off their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history.
“I really feel in these next eight years, we’re going to do really well,” Predators general manager David Poile said. “And when we do really well, Ryan Johansen is going to be a big, big factor in all of our winning.”
The city of Nashville has fully embraced the Predators’ quest for the Cup and it wasn’t any different on Monday. After announcing June 5th as #PredsPride Day, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry was joined on stage by a person who we’re just happy can walk again.
“He’s a big guy, with a big game, a big heart, and even though he is not playing right now, he is doing everything he can to help his teammates win,” Mayor Barry said during the press conference. “Will you please help me welcome Predators Center Ryan Johansen.”
Johansen was named Nashville’s Honorary Mayor for the day.
By Cara Bahniuk 5 years ago
After suffering a season-ending injury on Thursday evening, Ryan Johansen returned to Bridgestone Arena on Monday to lead the crowd in a rally towel wave.
On crutches, Johansen was joined by his injured teammate Kevin Fiala. Both smiled from ear-to-ear during the touching moment.
By Cara Bahniuk 5 years ago
The Predators can’t seem to catch a break with playoff injuries. Friday afternoon, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Ryan Johansen will miss the remainder of the playoffs after undergoing emergency thigh surgery.
Johansen suffered the injury during the Predators’ Game Four overtime loss. He will be out of action for the next two or three months.
By Cara Bahniuk 5 years ago
Nashville Predators’ center Ryan Johansen and Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler have been engaged in a fierce battle during the Western Conference Final.
Sunday, after the Anaheim Ducks evened the series at one game a piece, Johansen ripped Kesler and invoked Kesler’s family in his postgame comments to the press.
The Washington Capitals selected left-handed defenseman Lucas Johansen with their first round pick Friday night. After being introduced on stage and taking photos with Caps management, Johansen met with the NHL press for the first time. He called being drafted “the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
Lucas talked at length about his brother Ryan, a center with the Nashville Predators, during his press conference. Lucas even credited the 2015 NHL All Star Game MVP as the reason why he decided to be a defender.
By Spenser Smallwood 6 years ago
