A key contributor could be noticeably absent when Columbus Blue Jackets training camp begins later this week.
Josh Anderson will not take part if he doesn't have a new contract signed by then, his agent, Darren Ferris, told Aaron Portzline of The Athletic on Monday.
"The (club) hasn’t really moved much, so there isn’t much to add," Ferris said. "It’s all status quo. There’s no point in attending a camp without having a contract. I spoke with (Blue Jackets assistant general manager) Billy Zito last week. On their part, there’s no urgency to sign him right now. If it takes a little longer, it takes a little longer.”
Anderson is a restricted free agent who ranked sixth on Columbus with 17 goals in his first full NHL campaign last season.
The 23-year-old did so despite logging only 12:01 per game in all situations and only 11:28 per contest at even strength.
Anderson ranked second on the club in goals per 60 minutes (1.07) and placed third among qualified Blue Jackets with a 4.49 individual high-danger Corsi For per 60, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Columbus will conduct physicals Thursday, then do a couple of days of skating drills, according to Portzline. The Blue Jackets open their preseason schedule Sept. 19 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
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