The Philadelphia Flyers placed veteran forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers on Tuesday for the purpose of terminating his contract.
The team said the termination was "due to a material breach."
Johansen's agent Kurt Overhardt said in a response that the forward "has a severe hockey injury that requires extensive surgery which has been scheduled."
Overhardt claimed Johansen "has worked in good faith" with the Flyers.
Johansen was traded to the Flyers by the Colorado Avalanche in March, at which point he had one season and $8 million remaining on his contract. The Flyers took on $4 million of that salary in the trade.
Philadelphia is currently over the cap, per Puckpedia. The team would be able to create over $3 million in cap space by terminating Johansen's deal.
Overhardt, the CEO of KO Sports, Inc., said the agency has "been in contact with the NHLPA and will defend Ryan and protect his rights."
The NHLPA said in a statement: "The Philadelphia Flyers' actions raise significant concerns. We are currently reviewing the matter."
Johansen's team "is expected to grieve this termination," and the Flyers are expected to "present their case if asked to do" so, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Johansen had recorded 13 goals and 10 assists, totaling 23 points in 63 games, for the Avalanche last season. He was averaging about 13 and a half minutes of ice time per night prior to the trade.
But Johansen did not play for the Flyers following the deadline deal, and The Athletic's Kevin Kurz reported in March that Johansen was dealing with a hip injury.
General manager Danny Briere confirmed in April there was a "medical" reason Johansen had not returned to the ice.
"All I can tell you is I don't expect him to be back," Briere said in April, per Jon Bailey of Philly Hockey Now. "I don't know, exactly, the situation. We're dealing on the medical side with him. The thing for him is getting him back to be able to play at this time. He doesn't think he can play hockey. I wish I had a better answer for you. We need to get him better to figure out if there's even a remote chance of him dressing for the organization."
Johansen was selected as the No. 4 pick of the 2010 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has since played 905 NHL games while totaling 202 goals and 578 points in 13 seasons for the Jackets, Nashville Predators and Avalanche.
