The Blue Jackets open their season in a week and, though there's still a ways to go, the team is progressing towards a contract extension with Ryan Johansen.
As of now it seems unlikely that the two sides come to an agreement before the season opener, but crazier things have happened.
Johansen's camp has moved about $2 million from their initial request of $6.5 million per on a two-year deal, while the Blue Jackets are slowly moving towards Johansen's new request of $4.5M per.
TSN/ESPN's Pierre LeBrun is reporting that Columbus' latest offer was $3.25M (moving from $3M flat) so the gap is slowly shrinking.
Inch by inch.... told Jackets improved offer to $3.25 M per year, Johansen camp countered with $4.5 M per year... still wide gap
That leaves a gap of $1.25M, or $2.5M over two years.
Johansen wants to play and seems to be lessening his demands as the season approaches, so an extra $250-500K from the Blue Jackets may be enough to seal the deal.
There's still a noticeable gap there, but the two sides seem to be in the ball park for the first time. This could very well get done in the eleventh hour.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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