Johansen miffed about lack of tribute
Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen was held off the scoresheet and scoreboard Sunday night in his first trip back to Nationwide Arena.
While the ex-Blue Jackets’ All-Star could live with the former, he wasn’t thrilled with the latter.
Johansen enjoyed a 4-3 victory in his return to Columbus, which he called home for his first four-plus NHL seasons, but he was looking for something else — a “thank you” from his old organization. He was upset the team didn’t welcome him back with a scoreboard tribute, which the Jackets occasionally do for former players, particularly ones with many seasons of service to the club.
“I am a little disappointed they didn’t put anything on the Jumbotron and say ‘thank you’ or anything like that,” Johansen said. “I think we all know who made that call, but whatever.”
The center was traded to Nashville in the Jan. 6, 2016, blockbuster that sent defenseman Seth Jones to Columbus. The Predators did recognize Jones last March 26 in his return to Nashville.
The Blue Jackets had no comment on Johansen’s remarks.
Johansen registered 79 goals and 114 assists in 309 games with the Blue Jackets and represented the club in the 2015 All-Star Game. He went through a contentious contract negotiation before the 2014-15 season, in which he produced a career-best 71 points.
The 24-year-old, who leads Nashville with 40 points, heard a smattering of boos early in Sunday night’s game in which he took one shot and finished a minus-1.
“I had a lot of fun in my time here, built some great relationships, have a lot of fond memories of Columbus,” Johansen said before the game. “That’s all that matters, really.”
Johansen said he’s kept track of his former team’s rise up the standings.
“They’ve done a lot of great things so far,” he said. “They’ve been really consistent, which has been most impressive. I’m happy for those guys over there. It’ll be fun keeping tabs on them.”
Back to Cleveland
The Blue Jackets sent goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to minor-league Cleveland to get some work during the bye week.
The Cleveland Monsters play Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week.
Korpisalo also went back several weeks ago to get some games in. He won his last start in Columbus, 5-2 over Toronto on Wednesday.
In a paper move, the club recalled goaltender Anton Forsberg because it must have two goalies on the roster.
The Jackets opted not to send down winger Oliver Bjorkstrand, who scored his second goal in the last three games Sunday night against the Predators.