After his least productive season since his rookie campaign, Ryan Johansen is hopeful that dedication to conditioning will help him rebound in a contract year.
The Nashville Predators forward is entering the final year of a three-year, $12-million deal. After scoring 12 fewer goals and 11 fewer points than he did one season earlier, he has his sights set on bouncing back in his first full campaign with the Predators.
"For me, the approach is, we're going to get (a contract) done if I do my thing," Johansen said, according to Adam Vingan of The Tennessean. "My whole thing is having a great summer of training, being in the best shape I can be in and just doing my thing on the ice. I've never doubted myself playing hockey and I never will. I always come to the rink with a smile on and have fun.
"If I put myself in a situation to have success where my body's in the shape I want it to be in and I gain that confidence over the summer with all of the work I've put in, I feel like the sky's the limit for me and I can do some great things."
Johansen has gone so far as to have Predators strength and conditioning coach David Good come to his home in Vancouver to help with his training.
"I'm not taking anything away from my previous trainers; I really think he can take my game to the next level," Johansen said. "It was great to learn a few more things and the program that he wants us to follow. I've been feeling great. I feel like I'm already in great shape."
Johansen is just one year removed from setting a career high with 71 points, and two seasons away from his first and only 30-goal season.
