Today sees the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-19-3) travel to Arizona to take on the Coyotes (14-14-2). They will be without star center, Ryan Johansen, who has been made a healthy scratch. The back and forth of the Johansen saga has been a major topic of discussion amongst Blue Jackets fans since John Tortorella was hired, seeing him get benched for third periods on two separate occasions.
Tortorella has decided to leave Johansen out of tonight’s line up as a healthy scratch. All this seems to be doing, in public opinion, is show more and more that Johansen might very well be playing his last season in a Blue Jackets jersey. However, coach Tortorella spoke on the decision today and this may very well calm the nerves of Blue Jackets fans. As I saw on the multiple fan sites and groupsfans spoke out in support of Johansen and are hoping and praying with all their might that the young man takes the message Torts is sending him the right way.
Coach Tortorella said, “He’s an important guy to our organization… This is a reset for him, in understanding what we’re looking for, not just in points but in the play.” He was also quoted as saying “You can’t look at it as a punishment, it’s part of the process for him.” So, maybe Tortorellas is just trying to push Johansen to be the best player he can possibly be?
The general consensus of fans that have spoken out about the situation seems to be that Johansen is an important part of the team and organization, and that Columbus should do whatever they can to keep hold of the young center. Only time will tell where this situation might go, but as it stands, Johansen is still a Columbus Blue Jacket and will continue to be one, as long as the coach gets what he wants.
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 19: Ryan Johansen #19 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Two of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 19, 2014 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
