I speculated talks between the Blue Jackets and Ryan Johansen would never be a breeze from the get go, and that appears to be the case.
Johansen's camp is looking for a long-term deal while Jarmo Kekalainen would like to bring Johansen back on a bridge contract, and talks have hit a standstill as a result (via Aaron Portzline).
Coming off a breakout season where he scored 33 goals and tallied 63 points, he's surely looking to be paid as an elite player on the rise. The Blue Jackets are looking at his overall body of work, and are skeptical of handing out a long-term deal to a player who has had one good season, regardless of the potential he possesses.
As such, they want him to sign a short-term contract and if he proves himself, they'll bite the bullet and give him a much more lucrative deal when the time comes.
Kekalainen qualified Johansen to retain his rights, but barring an offer sheet from another franchise, which Kekalainen has said he'd match, I don't expect him to be signed any time soon.
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