Johansen anxious, thinks he can help Jackets
BUFFALO - Ryan Johansen says he's ready to go as the Columbus Blue Jackets open their season Thursday night here vs. the Buffalo Sabres.
How ready? It seems Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards is as curious as anyone to know the answer.
"I truly don't know," Richards said early Thursday afternoon. "You watch him in morning skate on the power play, and he makes our power play better. The big thing is his regular shift. We'll have to see. We'll be watching and talking to him."
Johansen missed all of training camp due to a holdout. He signed a three-year, $12 million contract Monday, leaving little time to get back to work and, more importantly, up to speed.
The Jackets believe he will eventually be worth every penny. The 22-year old Johansen was the team's leading scorer with 33 goals and 30 assists last season.
"I feel good, but I'm sure I don't feel as good as the other guys right now," Johansen said. "When we skated back in Columbus yesterday I was a little tired. But I got a good night's sleep. This morning I felt great. I'm anxious."
With Brandon Dubinsky, Nathan Horton and Boone Jenner among the forwards out due to injury, the Jackets hope Johansen can play and play at a high level sooner rather than later.
"It's shift to shift," Richards said. "You can tell a lot about guys when they get back to the bench and they're huffing and puffing. We'll be monitoring him."
The Jackets are coming off the best season in franchise history and are playing for the long haul, and Johansen's return is just part of the high hopes the franchise holds for the 2014-15 season.
"Obviously, there's going to be adrenaline," Johansen said. "I'm focused on the first shift. I'm excited. We're full steam ahead trying to get off to a good start.
"The first game is always special. We want to try to build some momentum here tonight, and getting a win before we go home (Saturday) to play the Rangers would be the best-case scenario."
