Tortorella insists Johnson wants to be a Blue Jacket: 'Jack loves it here'

Hold your horses, people. Jack Johnson might not be demanding a trade, after all.

Related: Report: Jack Johnson requests trade from Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella offered some insight Wednesday regarding the developing scenario surrounding his D-man after Johnson reportedly demanded a trade last week, and according to Torts, it's not that clear-cut.

"He didn’t come out and say 'I want to be traded,' " Tortorella stated, according to Steve Gorten of the Columbus Dispatch. "He said, 'I just think some stuff’s going to probably start coming out along the way. I want to talk to you face-to-face. I love it here. I want to improve as a player. I want it to work here, but I also have to think about my family.'"

Johnson's so-called trade demand might not have been for real, but his frustration with his reduced playing time and role on the team is. The frustration has started to dissipate, however, as Johnson has begun to earn his coach's trust back.

"You slowly start getting a bigger role back," Johnson said. "Hopefully it keeps trending in the right direction because I know I have a lot to give, and I know I can help this team out a lot."

Despite Johnson's unhappiness with his diminished role and minutes, Tortorella isn't holding anything against the veteran defenseman for speaking his mind.

"I’m certainly not going to go the other way because a player is talking about his future ... Jack loves it here. His family loves it here. So if we get him playing better, and maybe win some games, who knows where it all goes here?"

Johnson's next opportunity to prove his worth comes Thursday night when Columbus hosts the Dallas Stars.