TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- John Davidson, the Columbus Blue Jackets president of hockey operations, addressed the contract negotiations with restricted free agent center Ryan Johansen on Tuesday.
Johansen, coming off his entry-level contract, last season led the Blue Jackets in goals (33) and points (63). Agent Kurt Overhardt is using that production to seek $6.5 million a year, according to published reports.
"We're an organization that treats the players well, we treat our players fair because our ownership demands that," Davidson said. "But we don't want to have numbers shoved down our throat. … Hopefully we'll get a deal done."
Columbus starts training camp Thursday. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen, attending the prospects tournament here along with Davidson, said he would like to see Johansen at camp on time.
"Our success is going to come from being a team, not a bunch of individuals or stars, or whatever," Kekalainen told The Columbus Dispatch. "We're not a star-studded team. To me it's huge that you go through training camp together and get ready."
According to the Dispatch, the sides are $3 million apart on each year of the two-year contract that has been discussed with Johansen's agent.
"I take responsibility for our franchise and we're going to be as responsible as possible," Davidson said. "We want to make a very fair deal for a good young hockey player, and whether it be short-term or long-term, I don't care so long as it's something sensible to both sides."
Davidson acknowledged that his management group has been in close contact with Overhardt for quite some time. Davidson did not say if or when he would end the talks.
"We're to the point where enough is enough," Davidson said.
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.