For both Columbus and Nashville, the Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones trade has proved to be one of sport's rare win-win deals.
Obviously, for the Blue Jackets, Jones has become one of the top two-way defensemen in the game, earning an All-Star bid this past season and proving to be one of the key cogs in the most successful teams in franchise history.
Johansen, meanwhile, has come into his own in the Music City. After putting up 61 points during the regular season, the Canadian center has shined in the playoffs while pushing the Predators to the Western Conference Finals, where they are tied two games apiece with Anaheim. Johansen has been huge for Nashville in the postseason, totaling 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 14 games and also sparking a bit of a war of words with Ducks center (and former OSU Buckeye) Ryan Kesler.
But now it appears Johansen's postseason is over. One day after Johansen played 27:28 in the Predators' OT loss to Anaheim, Elliotte Friedman reports he is done for the postseason with a thigh injury.
During last night's game, Ryan Johansen suffered a left thigh injury and needed surgery. He is out for the rest of the playoffs
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 19, 2017
After the initial report, the Predators shined a little more light on the situation, saying Johansen required emergency surgery and is expected to need two to three months of recovery time.
. @PredsNHL update on Ryan Johansen. pic.twitter.com/ulBxWpo8Rk
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 19, 2017
It is, of course, a terrible break for a Nashville team that has gone deeper into the playoffs than ever before and is close to its first-ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance. It's also a shame for Johansen, who always represented Columbus well even though it ultimately didn't work out in Union Blue.
Here's hoping Johansen gets back to full strength soon enough.
