Blue Jackets, Johansen agree to 3-year deal

Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) – The Columbus Blue Jackets and Ryan Johansen have solved their contract impasse, with the club and center coming to an agreement on a three-year contract on Monday.

The new pact will pay the British Columbia native $3 million in each of the first two years and $6 million in the final year, an average annual value of $4 million for the duration. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the contract.

“I wish this all could have been avoided, but it was necessary for us to go through it to get the deal done. Like everybody on our team, we expect him to get better,” said Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen at a press conference. “There’s no reason to look in the rear-view mirror. Hopefully he’s worked out hard, and we’ll see once we get him out on the ice with the rest of the team. We’ll do the best we can to ensure he’s 100 percent ready as soon as possible.”

Columbus had extended a qualifying offer to the RFA back on June 30, the first salvo in what became a contentious series of negotiations which eventually led to Johansen’s holdout.

Johansen led the team in goals (33) and points (63) last season, his third in the NHL. The fourth overall pick of Columbus in the 2010 draft, he has posted 47 goals and 49 assists in 189 games for the franchise.

“He’s 22 years old, his potential is sky high. He could be one of the best players, but there’s a lot of work to be done before he gets there,” Kekalainen added. “It will take time to get his timing back. Some players are able to adjust quicker. My message to him was ‘I’m happy to have you on board.'”

Last year’s Metropolitan Division wild-card entrant begins the 2014-15 regular season Thursday in Buffalo.

Categorized in: NHL