Report: 'Number of teams' reached out to Blue Jackets after Johansen benching

If Columbus doesn't want Ryan Johansen, a rival club will take him off the Blue Jackets' hands.

"A number of teams" called the Blue Jackets to talk about Johansen's availability after he was benched in the third period Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, according to Pierre LeBrun, speaking on TSN's "Insider Trading" on Thursday.

Johansen was a healthy scratch Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes, but said all the right things after being banished to the press box - including that he wants to remain a part of the Blue Jackets.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, also speaking on "Insider Trading," the situation between Johansen - benched once already this season - and head coach John Tortorella reached a "boiling point" Tuesday. During a TV timeout in the second period, Tortorella called his forwards together at the bench to give them some direction, and Johansen "showed very little interest in participating" in the meeting, Dreger said. Johansen didn't play in the third period.

Dreger added that Western Conference clubs like the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Anaheim Ducks are reportedly being scouted by Columbus.