Columbus Blue Jackets stalled in talks with Johansen
By Cory Buck
The Columbus Blue Jackets want to build on their most successful season in franchise history. Ryan Johansen scored over 30 goals as a 21-year-old in Columbus last year. The two appear to be a natural fit together for a long, long time. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving as Johansen is set to become a restricted free agency on July 1 and the two parties are still far apart on signing a new deal.
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Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch writes that ‘these are not peaceful, happy times for either party’. While the Blue Jackets would prefer to ease Johansen along with another short-term deal that keeps the former fourth overall pick in Columbus for another stint as a restricted free agent, Johansen wants a deal that takes him to unrestricted free agency.
"“We’re not even close,” Johansen told The Dispatch. “They say ‘We want to sign you to a ‘bridge’ deal.’ We say ‘We don’t want to do a ‘bridge,’ and that’s the end of it. I’ve earned more than a two- or three-year deal with my play. It seems a little disrespectful, to be honest.”"
The Columbus Blue Jackets have declined comment, but it seems Johansen is willing to fill pages with quotes in defense of his stance on the contract talks. It’s hard to blame the team for holding off on a long term deal after Johansen has shown them precisely one good year and 21-year-olds aren’t exactly vaunted for their consistency. As Portzline notes, “The Blue Jackets spent the first two years of Johansen’s career with a firm boot behind him, insisting he play with a drive and passion that didn’t seem to come to him naturally or consistently.”
Johansen will have a chance to add to the contract intrigue on July 1, when he becomes a restricted free agent. Teams can submit an offer sheet for Johansen, but the Blue Jackets will have a chance to match any offer sent his way. If the Blue Jackets don’t match, the offering team will compensate Columbus with draft picks commensurate to the contract’s value.