More Notes on Johansen Situation and Some Media Thoughts

4:05 PM:

  • Elliotte Friedman: The Blue Jackets said the Ryan Johansen is not welcome to work out there while he remains unsigned (within their rights). Expected to head home to Vancouver or to Portland (WHL team).
  • Aaron Portzline: Johansen has packed his bags and is heading to Vancouver.

2:14 PM:

  • Michael Arace: Blue Jackets John Davidson said that they offered Ryan Johansen: two-years at $6 million ($3 million cap hit), six-years at $32 million ($5.33 million cap hit) and eight-years at $46 million ($5.75 million).
  • Mike Halford: Kurt Overhardt on Ryan Johansen being receptive of an offer sheet: “Well, we’ll have to see.”
  • Aaron Portzline: “If Johansen wants $6.5 million per year on a two-year deal, why would he accept $46M on an 8-year deal to give up four years of UFA?”
  • Michael Arace: John Davidson: “When you’re talking about contracts close to $50 million, I think our group has been very fair and it’s nowhere near what they want.” … “(Johansen) is just not here. Period. We’ve been told if we don’t give them what they want they’ll be leaving town.”
  • Aaron Portzline: Have been told that Johansen’s agent Kurt Overhardt is in Columbus today.
  • Michael Arace: The way Arace reads the Blue Jackets message: “We’ve been close to fair in our offers — which is nice of us because we have all the leverage” and “What their side is asking for is craaaaaaaaaazy.”
  • Elliotte Friedman: “When the numbers come out like that, it’s a very bad sign. Shows negotiations are going nowhere.”
  • Joe Yerdon: “Obviously the Jackets are looking to win the public opinion here. They’ll do that easily. But now you’ve soured your fan base on your top star player. That’s… Not great.”
  • Thomas Drance: “Ryan Johansen’s contract situation isn’t uncommon at all. What’s singular about it: the way Blue Jackets management is talking this week.”