Blue Jackets' Ryan Johansen Has Lost Trust Of Columbus Organization, Per Report

Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen is the topic of the day in the NHL. He was made a healthy scratch by new Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella on Thursday - a decision supported by Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen - only a day after Johansen was benched during the final period of an abysmal effort against the Dallas Stars. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was asked to expand on Johansen's situation while appearing on Toronto's Sportsnet 950 on Thursday afternoon and had some very interesting things to say in regards to Johansen's standing within the Blue Jackets organization at this point.

"They had the salary dispute last year, and I really thought they worked hard to put it behind them," Friedman said, per Today's Slap Shot's transcription. "This is what Tortorella does, he takes his best players and he challenges them. But I think what it is has done - I think the Columbus Blue Jackets have doubted - they recognize his talent. They've questioned his will, his determination to put in the work that he needs to do to reach that level of talent. And I think what this has done is shown as an organization they don't believe he's anywhere close to being where he needs to be.

"At the end of the day, I don't think they trust him. And that's why I think they're going to trade him."

Of course, one man's opinion - plugged-in NHL member though he may be - is just that: one man's opinion. But for Johansen, the ample smoke billowing out of the Blue Jackets building is likely to be obfuscating a fairly ample fire. He's as talented a player as there is in the league, but he's been beset by questions of his work ethic almost since the day he stepped on the ice as a professional.

So what's holding up a deal at this point for a No. 1 center that the rest of the league is likely - and reportedly - licking their chops to acquire?

Well, value for one. Johansen's poor recent play has likely dropped his trade value - or interested teams are at least using it as leverage in talks with Kekalainen - despite his track record of success and relatively cheap current deal. Johansen is in the second-year of a three-year bridge deal that carries a $4 million annual cap hit.

Teams intrigued by the notion of picking up Johansen are said to be "doing their due diligence," seeking satisfactory answers on whether there's more to his alleged issues of preparation and fitness.

There's also concern - on the part of Kekalainen for sure - just what Johansen and agent Kurt Overhardt's ask will be on his next deal, only a few short seasons after protracted negotiations with Columbus prior to the bridge deal.

And the kicker - per Friedman, the Blue Jackets, as always seems to be the case when a team is considering dealing a talented player with questionable work ethic, are fearful that a trade will serve as a kind of wakeup call that turns Johansen into the player they once thought he was destined to be, only with a different NHL franchise.

But concerns or no, there's bound to be ample interest in Johansen from teams across the league and the Jackets, as currently constructed with Johansen leading their offense, are clearly flawed. Maybe Torts can whip Johansen into shape and turn him into an elite, responsible two-way player. Maybe Johansen's beyond saving. Maybe he'll simply never become an elite player with the Blue Jackets. The question is though - would Kekalainen pull the trigger on a deal that could alter the outlook significantly for two organizations and, depending on the team that lands Johansen, the landscape of the league?

"Now, we know John Tortorella is not getting fired because he just got hired. But there isn't anybody coming out for Columbus and saying, 'Ryan Johansen isn't getting traded,'" Friedman said.

"This one - It's very hard to look at it and not come to the conclusion that this guy is getting traded."

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NHL, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ryan Johansen, Trade, Report, Trust, John tortorella