This is where it gets interesting.
The Josh Anderson negotiation (or lack thereof) has reached a fever pitch. The stalemate between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Anderson's agent is troubling, seeing as it's dragged into training camp.
Multiple NHL insiders have now weighed in on the situation, which has only gotten murkier since the beginning of camp, and right now has no end in sight.
As for Josh Anderson in CBJ, who is also repped by Ferris, the two sides do not appear to be close at all. Frosty situation right now.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 18, 2017
Frosty situation indeed. Our own Rob Mixer wrote that Anderson and the Blue Jackets could come to a resolution at a price similar to that of Toronto Maple Leafs' forward Connor Brown, who recently signed for three years at $6.3 million total. The annual average value is just over $2 million.
INSIDER TRADING : The #TSNHockey Insiders with the latest on market for Duchene, Jagr's options and VGK's extra D https://t.co/e2PNtpmKBO pic.twitter.com/55KPU2MjBw
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) September 19, 2017
McKenzie outlines the parameters of the deal that the Blue Jackets are currently discussing with Anderson's agent. The stance is that they believe Anderson should accept the qualifying offer on a one-year deal for $770,000 or a three-year deal for less than $1.9 million per season.
This is without knowing what Anderson's camp is trying to use in negotiations. McKenzie also notes that Anderson and fellow holdout Andreas Athanasiou have very little leverage in these negotiations. Both Anderson and Athanasiou are represented by Darren Ferris.
...the players would still be RFA with no arb rights next year, so leverage point rests more with the clubs than the players.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 19, 2017
Not saying it gets to this point, but Team Canada has a ton of interest in Anderson as an Olympic candidate. https://t.co/swPgK0VSN4
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 18, 2017
This quote is what should really be troubling Blue Jackets fans. The fact that Team Canada has even had discussions about Josh Anderson is not a great sign for the negotiations. At what point did either Anderson's camp or Team Canada realize that this may be a possibility?
As the conversation continues to be self-contained, the Blue Jackets should be encouraged. The gulf between the two sides may be large, but different types of leverage haven't been utilized by either camp.
Time seems to be the only opponent that will force someone's hand, and the clock is ticking.
