The agent for restricted free agent centre Ryan Johansen is apparently trying to break the contract negotiation impasse between his client and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline reported on Monday that agent Kurt Overhardt came back to the team with an offer of a two-year deal worth $9.4 million. That's down over $2 million a season from the original offer from Johansen's camp.

A significant gap remains, though, with the team's offer now still $1.7 million a season lower than the latest from the player.

TSN's Farhan Lalji reported on Sunday that Johansen, 22, was offered a one-year, $5 million deal from KHL side CSKA Moscow on Saturday night. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger confirmed later on Sunday that the CSKA offer was one of many from the KHL, but that Overhardt's priority was to get a deal done for his client with the Blue Jackets.

Johansen, the fourth-overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, had a career season last year, scoring 33 goals and adding 30 assists, playing in all of the team's regular season games.