Talks between Ryan Johansen and the Columbus Blue Jackets are moving, it may be at a snail’s pace, but it’s moving according to Columbus Dispatch Reporter, Aaron Portzline.
On Friday, Portzline reported the two sides are now $1.25 million apart per year or $2.5 million apart total on a two-year contract.#CBJ had 2 year, $6M offer on table for months. This is their first tweak to that offer. Overhardt started at $13.7M for 2 year, now at $9M.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 3, 2014
The progress is a far cry from two weeks ago when neither side were talking, but with the Blue Jackets season opener just six days away now, time is quickly running out to get a deal done before the puck drops a new season.
Complicating matters for the Jackets’ is the news center Boone Jenner is expected to miss five weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand.
It was a matter of hours after news broke Thursday defenseman Sergei Gonchar would be sidelined 3-5 weeks with a fractured ankle that the Stars announced the signing of Brenden Dillon to a one-year deal.
It has now been two days since Jenner underwent surgery, but a similar situation could be brewing in Columbus.