The Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche made a move one week away from the beginning of NHL free agency.

The Predators parted with Ryan Johansen, trading him to the Colorado Avalanche for the rights of pending UFA Alex Galchenyuk. Nashville's retaining 50 percent of Johansen's $8-million cap hit for the final two seasons of his contract.

Johansen had some up-and-down years with the Predators over his eight seasons with them. Although the 30-year-old recorded a respectable 63 points in 79 games in the 2021-22 season, he recorded 12 goals and 28 points in 55 matches this year before suffering a season-ending surgery on his right leg in February. Since being drafted fourth overall in 2010 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Vancouver native has posted 555 points in 842 games between Columbus and Nashville.