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2017-18 Player Review: Jack Johnson

The quintessential “bad analytics/good executive eye test” player, Jack Johnson found himself moving farther and farther out of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ plans in 2017-18. Johnson was so disturbed by his shrinking role that he asked for a trade mid-season, a move the club either would not or could not make. If you’re reading this blog, you probably have an opinion on Jack Johnson. Good news: We’ll be asking for that later.

Johnson, as an unrestricted free agent, is probably done as a Blue Jacket. He played 77 games as he struggled to re-create last year’s magic with defensive partner David Savard, getting healthy scratched and playing exactly zero minutes in the Jackets’ playoff series against Washington. His three goals and 11 points tied for the lowest scoring output of his career (matching his rookie season in 2007-08), his ice time set a new career-low and his Corsi numbers placed him 25th out of the 33 players who laced ‘em up for the CBJ last season.

Was it all bad for Johnson? He did score four points (including the game-winning goal) in a five-game span in October and logged a season-high 24:49 in a 1-0 home shutout against Arizona. He also cut down on the penalties, though that’s probably a product of reduced ice time.

Johnson turned down seven-year, $25-million contract offers over the summer and in February. Both the offer and the denial are probably baffling to a lot of Jackets fans, but Johnson has always been a heart-and-soul guy who, like Dubinsky, was tough to watch struggle in 2017-18.

How would you grade Jack Johnson’s season?

Jack Johnson 2017-18 Stats

Games played: 77
Goals: 3
Assists: 8
Points: 11
Time on ice: 19:33
Penalty Minutes: 22
Corsi For (even strength): 47.7%

High Point

Johnson scoring the game winning goal in a 3-2 win over Winnipeg on October 17.

Low Point

Not playing a second of hockey in the playoffs.

Poll

How would you grade Jack Johnson’s 2017-2018 season?

A 4
B 7
C 29
D 66
F 35