On Ryan Johansen …
- Scott Lewis of Sportnet: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590 on Ryan Johansen.
“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.’ “
On what is the issue the Johansen?
“They had the salary dispute last year, and I really thought they worked hard to put it behind them. This is what Tortorella does. He takes his best players and he challenges them. They’ve questioned 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.”
On where Johansen could end up.
“There’s going to be lots of teams. To me, this has got Nashville written all over it if they want to do a deal. I think St. Louis would be involved in this one. I think they’ve scouted him quite heavily. I don’t know if Vancouver has got what it takes to make that deal, but he’s from out there,” said Friedman.
Friedman also added to watch Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin as talk heats up with Johansen and Steven Stamkos. The Canadiens could look at add an elite center.
- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Doug MacLean on Sportsnet 590 on the Ryan Johansen situation.
“Trust me on this: It’s got a chance to be the next Seguin trade,” MacLean said. “You’ve got to be careful.”
MacLean talked to a few people after the Blue Jackets hired coach John Tortorella.
“They said, ‘Doug, trust me on this: I know this guy really well. This is a battle Torts will not win. He will not win a battle with this kid. That’s how hard-headed and stubborn he is. And he’s a big-time talent.'”
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie on TSN radio: “Leafs would be interested but nobody on Leafs who CBJ would gravitate towards. Maybe Rielly but not enough”
- Jimmy Murphy: Can confirm that the Canadiens and Blue Jackets have talked about Ryan Johansen and more recently. Not sure what other players were talked about. Not sure that a Johansen to the Canadiens could happen without Alex Galchenyuk going to Columbus.