The Philadelphia Flyers, despite being in a playoff spot, have agreed to move pending UFA defenceman Sean Walker ahead of the trade deadline to the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche also receive a fifth-round pick in 2026 from the Flyers in exchange for forward Ryan Johansen and a first-round pick in 2025.
The 2025 first-round pick Philadelphia receives is top-10 protected. The Flyers placed Johansen on waivers after the trade was completed.
Walker, a right-handed shot, was one of the more sought-after defenders on the market after Chris Tanev was traded by the Calgary Flames to the Dallas Stars.
Walker, 30, is a six-year NHL veteran in his first season with the Flyers. He has 22 points in 63 games, two off his career high, but is a more defensive-minded player who has 98 blocked shots and plenty of experience on the penalty kill.
Johansen, 31, is a 13-year NHL veteran in his first season with the Avalanche. He is in the seventh-year of an eight-year deal that carries an $8 million cap hit.
In 63 games this season, Johansen recorded 23 points (13 goals and 10 assists). Prior to joining Colorado, Johansen spent several seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and later the Nashville Predators.
Philadelphia is in a battle with the Devils, Islanders and Capitals for the third playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.
The Avalanche are third in the Central Division with 81 points, trailing the Stars and Winnipeg Jets. This was the first of two significant trades made by the Avalanche on Wednesday. The club also announced it had acquired skilled centre Casey Mittelstadt from the Buffalo Sabres for defenceman Bowen Byram.
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