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The outings of winger Matt Calvert and Columbus defenseman Jack Johnson as unrestricted free-agent Sunday were expected
But considering their high esteem for the Blue Jackets, no one else would have expected. could have predicted their ugly divorces. Prior to the Capitals' loss to the Capitals, coach John Tortorella described Calvert's play this season as "a race from top to bottom, like a toilet seat" – a remark that irritated Calvert. Tortorella publicly apologized later, but it was clear that Calvert, who had signed a three-year contract with Colorado for an average annual value of $ 2.8 million per season, was ready to move on .
Pittsburgh and Jim Rutherford, the general manager of the Penguins, took verbal shots at the Jackets [16].
Johnson told reporters in Pittsburgh, "I really wanted to be part of a winning culture, in a place where the expectations of winning are as high as possible, and there is a chance to win. "
Rutherford stated that he knew" the reason "Johnson was a healthy scratch for the first six games of the Jackets- round playoff series loss to the capitals." I do not think that He had a bad year, "said Rutherford, noting that Penguins coach Mike Sullivan" watched the three games "
Jackets Chief Executive Officer Jarmo Kekalainen fought back at Rutherford
"I have no idea what he's talking about," Kekalainen said. "If he thinks it's something else, he knows something that Tortorella and I do not know … quite the coach's decision, and nothing else." … what do you think we did not want to win in the playoffs? We offer the best defensive formation possible every night and in the playoffs in particular … And he was already a UFA, while we were plugging in? We were trying to put the best possible training on the ice.Tortorella refused to respond to a request from The Dispatch for comment.
However , he told The Athletic – in a very colorful language, using a particular letter of four letters – he explained both his penchant for Johnson and his exasperation towards Rutherford – that he was not happy comments. "He should know better. … and for a general manager to question our decision-making at three hours away, he must be a … magician. "
Tortorella tells The Athletic that Johnson" does not have enough courage to call me back, because I "
The Jackets would have offered Johnson a seven-year contract of a value of About $ 25 million last summer, what he dismissed
"Not coming to Columbus" led to this situation. opportunity, "Johnson told reporters Sunday in Pittsburgh." I could not be happier. I would not want to share something that happened to be here right now. "
While the Jackets apparently did not attempt to sign Johnson, they" clearly made it clear "to Calvert that" we loved him "during the talks." Kekalainen said, "Matt Calvert is a player that I personally liked a lot because of his heart, his character and his courage, but he decided to move on, and I respect that, "Kekalainen said. "I do not mind, I would have liked him to stay here and wish he was still a blue jacket, but I wish him the best of luck, and I wish him the best of luck. Thank you for everything, I'm grateful that he was part of the organization for a long time. "
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