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Johansen credits defined role as No. 1 center for early success in Nashville

Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Johansen is loving life as a member of the Nashville Predators - and life without Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella.

With nine points in seven games since the big trade for Seth Jones, Johansen's living up to expectations. And the 23-year-old credits the Predators' coaching staff and its defined role for him as the reason for his early success.

"I think you just look at the opportunity that I've been given. (The Predators) believe in me being a first-line center and I believe in myself doing that job for this team," Johansen told The Tennessean's Adam Vingan. "The opportunity with being on the first power play, on the first line, and playing in all the key situations and playing with such great players. For me, I feel like we have another level to go. Yeah, we've been having some success, but I definitely think there's another level as well."

Johansen's ice time is up over two minutes since the trade. He's playing 19:28 a game with Nashville, up from 17:21 with Columbus. In 38 games with the Blue Jackets, Johansen managed a single goal on the power play. He's already got three as a Predator.

"It was pretty hectic in Columbus just with line combos and power-play units," Johansen added. "You kind of never really knew what was going on. It's nice to just be settled in in a role right now these first couple weeks. I'm really enjoying it."

Change is good.

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