Blue Jackets' Johansen reiterates desire to remain with club

A rough start to the season doesn't appear to have left Ryan Johansen pining to escape Columbus.

The 23-year-old top-line center, who was scratched by head coach John Tortorella on Dec. 17 and has been the subject of recent trade speculation, reiterated his desire to remain with the Columbus Blue Jackets following Saturday's win over Philadelphia, according to Aaron Portzline of The Dispatch.

Johansen saw over 20 minutes of ice time in the 3-2 shootout victory, and doesn't seem to be taking the benching overly hard.

"I've been in the league for five years now, so if I'm scared to make a mistake now, then there is something wrong with me, and there is something wrong with my attitude towards playing hockey," he said. "It's my job to go out there and have fun and do what I do. If I make mistakes, that's hockey. But if I keep making the same mistakes over, that's where it becomes an issue."

Still, he acknowledges not all is well in Columbus these days.

"Anytime you start a season 0-8 and you struggle like we have - if you're enjoying it, there is something wrong with you," he said.

While Johansen's long-term future with the team remains relatively up in the air, he's saying all the right things, at least for the time being.