Report: Blue Jackets prepared to start season without Johansen

The Columbus Blue Jackets and restricted free-agent center Ryan Johansen have spent the offseason mired in a standoff, and as neither side appears willing to budge, the Jackets seem to be making plans to move forward without him.

“We want him in the lineup,” head coach Todd Richards said to the Columbus Dispatch. “But we’ll move on without him if he’s not in the lineup. It’s like an injured player. If he’s not there, he’s not. You have to move on. You don’t have a choice.”

Johansen enjoyed a breakout season last year, scoring 33 goals and leading the club in points. He has no arbitration rights and hasn't signed an offer sheet from another team, but his agent is reportedly holding out for a contract worth roughly $6.5 million per season. 

The Blue Jackets have depth down the middle, with centers Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, and Mark Letestu on the roster, plus 2013 first-round pick Alexander Wennberg. 21-year-old Boone Jenner is also expected to move to the middle eventually.

“Boone is an obvious choice to move, if it comes to that,” Richards said. “His flexibility is a real asset.”

The Blue Jackets would obviously rather have their leading scorer in the lineup when the season opens, but for the time being it appears they are comfortable leaving his spot up for grabs.