Ryan Johansen signs a 3-year contract.

[dash]

If Johansen could've been had for a $4M/y cap hit, why the hell didn't anyone send him an offer sheet?

Two reasons, in my opinion:

1. Jackets would have matched any offer sheet that low, so it would have been an exercise in futility.

2. The 2015 entry draft is supposedly one of the deepest drafts in years. I think a good GM wants to hold onto those draft picks and wait to see how his team performs this season (just in case the Jackets were to walk away from RyJo).

 

[forty_three]

1. Bobrovsky, Sergei - $6.25M
2. Horton, Nathan - $6M
3. Hartnell, Scott - $5M
4. Wisniewski, James - $5M
5. Johnson, Jack - $5M
6. Tyutin, Fedor - $4.75M
7. Dubinsky, Brandon - $4.65M
8. Foligno, Nick - $3.75M
9. Anisimov, Artem - $3.1M
10. Johansen, Ryan - $3M

This is the list of Blue Jackets players' salaries this year.

Note that Dubinsky already has an extension inked giving him $5.85M for the next six years after this one.

I don't get it... Why the hell was the organization refusing to pay Johansen what he's worth, but so willing to throw money at guys who are nowhere near the difference-maker Johansen is?

If Johansen could've been had for a $4M/y cap hit, why the hell didn't anyone send him an offer sheet? The draft pick compensation is a 1st & 3rd round pick for an averaged salary between $3.3 and $5M. I'd take Johansen in a heartbeat for a 1st & 3rd, especially if it were at the bottom half of the draft order!

Those bolded were signed by a different GM.

Well, for one ^ that.

As far as what he is "worth", that's the major issue. Both sides saw it considerably different.

His side was "#1 Center. Jonathan Toews is a #1 center. Therefore, we want 8.75m per season"
Jackets side was "You were benched in the minors a year ago, and Jamie Benn, PK Subban, and a bazillion other players took 'low pay' bridge deals".

The Jackets side was a bit more reasonable (but still low). They wanted re-assurance that the benched in the AHL season and not the team leading/carrying them into the playoffs season was the fluke. In fact, the Jackets only offered two years until he showed up in Columbus in game shape and with a vastly improved work ethic. Then they offered him a 6 and 8 year deal, albeit a very good value for the team, based on one of three good seasons. It became painfully apparent that Johansen's agent had his sights set on a record bridge deal. But he failed to understand that 3.26m is a record too. But he wanted 8+, and refused to come down in reasonable amounts. And he soiled the relationship between his client and the team. It got personal. And the Jackets dug in. They would rather let him sit than give the agent the satisfaction of getting his name in the paper for such a big deal. ANY big deal. I don't agree with the team letting it get personal, but I *understand* it.

Also, the Jackets have two more young studs who will be coming off ELCs in the next 2 years, and three more in three years. They have to let their stance be known. John Davidson's mindset is this "Show me. Do what we ask of you, and you will get paid."

Case in point, Brandon Dubinsky. When his extension kicks in he will be paid more than he should be. But he gave the Blue Jackets every single thing they asked of him and he got rewarded. That's all they want out of Johansen. And Murray. And Jenner. And Bobrovsky.

And the Jackets would have loved it if someone signed him to an offer sheet. That would have made this whole thing speed up. But every GM In the league has the same things in mind. The agents is a flaming asshole and the will the kid work for it?

 

[RP-29]

Is there some league rule that prevents an agent from querying other clubs about offer sheets?

 

[pixburgher66]

Is there some league rule that prevents an agent from querying other clubs about offer sheets?

Pretty sure that an agent would be stoned if they did that.

 

[dash]

Pretty sure that an agent would be stoned if they did that.

Stoned as in high or stoned as in let he who is without sin cast the first?

 

[RP-29]

Pretty sure that an agent would be stoned if they did that.

Why? If I'm negotiating my salary, wouldn't it be wise to gauge my market value? If I think I'm getting severely lowballed, wouldn't it be wise to investigate what others think my services are worth?

 

[forty_three]

Why? If I'm negotiating my salary, wouldn't it be wise to gauge my market value? If I think I'm getting severely lowballed, wouldn't it be wise to investigate what others think my services are worth?

The difference is the restrictions in the CBA, hence the "restricted" free agent. The player is not "free" to negotiate with any team other than the one who holds his rights, and while there may not be anything specifically prohibiting an agent from making phone calls, as pix said, it would be a death move for an agent to try and pry an offer out of someone. You pretty much have to wait for someone to reach out if you are an RFA.

The situation you describe is more Unrestricted Free Agent, where you are completely open to make any calls you want.

And by throwing the numbers they offered out there, the Jackets gauged market value. When they said "We offered him xxx over 6 years and xxx over 8" any team considering an offer sheet had every opportunity to offer sheet him right then if they felt he was worth more. No one bit, therefore his "market value" was set. Although, admittedly the pool of teams that actually *could* offer sheet him was only like 8.

 

[forty_three]

This is the shit that makes me hate Twatwaffle.




He must have quite a middle school girl.

Remember, just yesterday he tweeted (now deleted) that the talks had stopped again with no progress.

 

[puckhead]

I expect a slow start, but it will come together by November.

that sounds about right.
maybe his linemates will be healthy by then

 

[forty_three]

that sounds about right.
maybe his linemates will be healthy by then

lol

At least one of them.

 

[pixburgher66]

This is the shit that makes me hate Twatwaffle.




He must have quite a middle school girl.

Remember, just yesterday he tweeted (now deleted) that the talks had stopped again with no progress.

He deleted them? Oh come ON man. I can't handle when media guys do that. Simply recant on it, say "I was (or my sources were) wrong, I apologize. Here's the news."

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

He deleted them? Oh come ON man. I can't handle when media guys do that. Simply recant on it, say "I was (or my sources were) wrong, I apologize. Here's the news."

The good ones do that.

Bobby Mac was wrong at some point leading up to the deadline. He tweeted his apology for being wrong faster than anyone else broke the news of the trade (sorry I can't remember which one).

 

[forty_three]

Jackets announced the final roster:
The forwards: Artem Anisimov, Cam Atkinson, Jared Boll, Matt Calvert, Michael Chaput, Marko Dano, Brandon Dubinsky, Nick Foligno, Scott Hartnell, Ryan Johansen, Mark Letestu, Jack Skille, Corey Tropp, Alex Wennberg. Brian Gibbons, Nathan Horton (back) and Boone Jenner (hand) are on Injured Reserve.

The defense: Tim Erixon, Cody Goloubef, Jack Johnson, Dalton Prout, David Savard, Fedor Tyutin, James Wisniewski. Ryan Murray (knee) is on Injured Reserve.

The goalies: Sergei Bobrovsky and Curtis McElhinney.

Bolded are the youngin's looking to take the next step. I am anxious to see what Wennberg does.

I am not pleased that Tim Erixon got there. I hope he goes back and not Cody when Murray is 100%.

 

[dash]

I am not pleased that Tim Erixon got there.

He's a bad seed.

 

[forty_three]

Johansen after practice yesterday. Seems in pretty good spirits, and his comfort level with the media is getting better.