COLUMBUS, Ohio - Talks between the Columbus Blue Jackets and restricted free agent centre Ryan Johansen are at an impasse.
Johansen's agent, Kurt Overhardt, says the young star left Columbus on Wednesday on the eve of the start of training camp.
John Davidson, the team's director of hockey operations, and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen say offers of $6 million for two years, $32 million for six and $46 million over eight years were refused by Johansen.
Now the club is proceeding as if Johansen will not play.
Coming off their finest season ever, the Blue Jackets report Thursday and play their first exhibition game Sunday night.
It appears they'll do so without the 22-year-old Johansen, their leading scorer with 33 goals and 30 assists a year ago.