5 players who could be next year’s Ryan Johansen

After exploding for 33 goals in the final year of his entry-level contract, the Blue Jackets’ Ryan Johansen still hasn’t signed a new deal with Columbus. Four days before the regular season is set to open, you have to wonder if missing all of training camp hasn’t caused Johansen to take a step back.

Typically, players who have injuries which cause them to miss camp have slow starts or sub par seasons. Could Johansen be in line for the same?

Although they are talking, the two sides are still far apart, by as much as a million dollars per season according to some reports.

It’s not the first time an NHL player has held out for a better deal after a big season, and it certainly won’t be the last. Here are the top 5 players who could be next year’s Ryan Johansen.