Flyers send Walker to Avalanche in deal involving Johansen

The Philadelphia Flyers dealt defenseman Sean Walker and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche for forward Ryan Johansen and a top-10 protected 2025 first-rounder, Walker's new club announced Wednesday.

Philadelphia immediately placed Johansen and his $4-million cap hit on waivers upon acquiring him. The veteran forward is under contract through 2024-25. His original cap hit was $8 million, but the Nashville Predators agreed to retain 50% of it when they shipped him to Colorado last June.

Walker was one of the most coveted players ahead of the NHL trade deadline. He's a pending unrestricted free agent with a cap hit of $2.65 million, per CapFriendly.

The 29-year-old has a career-high six goals and is on pace for personal bests in assists and points with 16 and 22, respectively, through 63 games. He's also playing more than he ever has in the NHL, averaging 19:36 of ice time in 2023-24.

Philadelphia acquired Walker from the Los Angeles Kings in a three-way trade last June. He spent his first five seasons with the Kings and originally signed with their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, as an undrafted free agent out of college at Bowling Green.

The Avalanche weren't done dealing Wednesday. Shortly after snagging Walker, they traded blue-liner Bo Byram to the Buffalo Sabres for forward Casey Mittelstadt.