Kekalainen: Johansen needs to do it again

The Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline has been all over Ryan Johansen’s contract impasse with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"I've said it many, many times, that I think (Johansen) can be special," GM Jarmo Kekalainen said. "His potential is great. But we’re not there yet, after one year, when we’re willing to invest the franchise-type of money into his future. Do it once or twice more. Make us pay. Go ahead and make us pay!

"We’ve shown it many times, that our ownership is committed. Look at Brandon Dubinsky. We paid him (this summer). Look at Nathan Horton in free agency (two summers ago). They are willing to make the commitment when it’s earned. We have no problem paying the dollars when it’s earned, but the key word there is ‘earned.’ While we believe in his future, we want to see him do it a little bit longer than just one year."

#CBJ won't do 1 yr deal (arb) or 4 yr deal (UFA). But, after saying they'd only do a bridge, hearing they'll listen to long-term deal.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 16, 2025

That's an interesting wrinkle, but still seems a 2-yr deal is most likely. If they're $3M apart/year on a 2-year deal, imagine the 6-yr gap.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 16, 2025

Kekalainen stressed the importance of everyone being at training camp from the start, and while he’ll “exhaust every option to get a contract done before camp” – the focus will only be on players under contract or guys on tryouts once camp begins.

Good quotes in there. Worth checking out.

Source: Aaron Portzline, Columbus Dispatch

Johansen's agent Kurt Overhardt won't respond publicly to GM Jarmo Kekalainen:"I'm trying to work on this thing. I want to get a deal done."

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 16, 2025