Report: Jack Johnson requests trade from Blue Jackets

Jack Johnson reportedly wants out.

The veteran defenseman has asked the Columbus Blue Jackets to trade him, sources told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline on Saturday morning.

Johnson's reduced role was cited as a reason for the request, as was his desire to better position himself for free agency in the summer, not that he's unhappy in Columbus or with his teammates, according to the report.

The request was reportedly made weeks ago. Neither Johnson nor Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen would comment when contacted by The Athletic on Friday.

The 31-year-old, who's one of Columbus' alternate captains, is a pending unrestricted free agent who has plummeted on the team's depth chart this season.

He ranks fourth among the club's blue-liners in ice time, but his 19:24 average would be a career-low mark over a full season, and he's now playing on the third pairing with Scott Harrington.

Johnson has spent parts of seven seasons with the Blue Jackets after playing parts of six with the Los Angeles Kings.