Columbus Blue Jackets forward Ryan Johansen is back in the lineup after spending the last few days getting checked for getting fatigued at the end of games. It was uncertain if it was an illness or something else.
The Columbus star had only played one game under new head coach John Tortorella before he was sent home to get checked out. It also just so happens that Johansen was benched for a good portion of the third period.
The next day, Larry Brooks of the New York Post tweeted:
Told that after 1st period Tortorella told Johansen that he's not in shape. Center then got 4 shifts in 3rd. #Predictable #Torts
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) October 23, 2015
Then Johansen was sent home from the team’s road trip to undergo testing.
There was a lot packed in there. No one had really spoken about if Tortorella said that or not, but Johansen confirmed it to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:
"That was something that was said in the room," Johansen said. "That's something that shouldn't leave the room. You always hear (about) those codes from teams and players around the league: what's said in the room is said in there, and that's between us. Whatever me and coach talk about is between me and him."
The “in the room” code is a pretty serious one among hockey players and staff. That’s a big trust thing. They don’t want the airing of dirty laundry in public, don't want anyone embarrassed and perhaps most of all, they don't want that trust among players and coaches violated. Anyone would be disappointed to hear private conversations become public like Johansen was.
The young forward, however, will be able to get back to playing hockey, though. He says he is 100 percent, but Tortorella expressed concern about Johansen's readiness.
Again via Portzline:
"I don't have any expectations. I'm going to play 'em," Tortorella said. "I'm a little concerned, judging from yesterday's practice, just the time off, just a little bit of a struggle he's had as far as his energy. I'm going to monitor that very closely during the game.
"He struggled through the practice yesterday. Hopefully he'll feel better (today) after getting a practice under his belt. We'll see how it goes as the game goes on."
Johansen did not agree with the assessment that he struggled in practice according to Portzline.
Tortorella and Johansen are very early on in their relationship. You know the head coach isn’t going to hold back with a new team because he never has before. It might be up to players like Brandon Dubinsky who have been through that process with Tortorella before to help smooth things over.
The fact is, Johansen is easily one of the most important players on the Blue Jackets. Over the last two seasons the former fourth-overall pick has 134 points, including a career-best 71 last season. In 2014-15 he notched 33 goals. This season, Johansen has six points in eight games for the struggling team.
As he returns, he'll probably do so with a little extra motivation now.
