Blue Jackets blast agent, reveal offers tabled to Ryan Johansen
It's getting ugly in Columbus.
Supremely agitated by "extortion" in contract negotiations with restricted free agent Ryan Johansen, the Blue Jackets continued to wage war with his agent, Kurt Overhardt, by laying it all out on the table.
President of hockey operations John Davidson announced to reporters the club has tabled a two-year deal worth $6 million, a six-year deal worth $32 million, and an eight-year deal worth $46 million - each of which were met with recoil.
JD: "When you're talking about contracts close to $50 million, I think our group has been very fair and it's nowhere near what they want."
— Michael Arace (@MichaelArace1) September 17, 2014
JD: "(Johansen) is just not here. Period. We've been told if we don't give them what they want they'll be leaving town."
— Michael Arace (@MichaelArace1) September 17, 2014
As Davidson comes off the handle publicly, the Blue Jackets seem to be playing right into Overhardt's hand.
The team is clearly desperate to get the restricted free agent signed despite the assertion they will move on without him, and their judgement appears to be clouding.
Update: Just moments later, Overhardt played the virtuous card in an appearance on TSN Radio.
"I don't ever talk about numbers in the media.... I think it's unprofessional," he said.
"It's September 17th and the young man would prefer to be in training camp tomorrow with his teammates but unfortunately some other people would rather talk about innuendo and make personal attacks rather than roll up their sleeves and work."
Overhardt was also asked about how they would react to a potential offer sheet and he responded tersely, "Well, we'll have to see."