Despite netting 40 points in 79 games his rookie season in 2022-23, Kent Johnson didn’t have a sophomore slump: he had a sophomore dumpster fire. Last season he missed the team out of training camp, starting in Cleveland, only playing 42 games and registering 16 points, before getting injured in February and missing the rest of the season.
This season, with a new coach, GM, and mindset, Johnson more than anyone represented the “everything here is earned” mentality. He found chemistry with Adam Fantilli on the second line, and by mid-season was an essential member of the top six. In all: 68 games played, 24 goals, 33 assists, 57 points. That’s more than his first two “full” seasons combined in 64 less games.
2024-25 Stats
Games: 68
Goals: 24
Assists: 33
Points: 57
Plus/Minus: +2
PIM: 16
5v5 Corsi: 51.6%
5v5 Fenwick: 50.3%.
5v5 Offensive Zone Start %: 54.0%
Contract
Johnson was an RFA last year, and signed a three-year deal paying him $1.8M a season. He’ll still be an RFA when it expires after the 2026-27 season.
High Point
Johnson came flying out of the gate, earning a 6-6-12 statline through his first nine games, with at least a point in each of those games. That’s despite him missing 14 games due to an upper body injury during that span. His return on November 21st saw him score two goals against the Lightning, one on the powerplay and one shorthanded in what would be a 7-6 OTW for the CBJ. He also had three assists in the 8-4 win over Nashville April 1st.
Low Point
I mean, the injury wasn’t great, especially coming off being injured last season, but I’ll go with the March 15th game against the New York Rangers. Johnson was on the ice for all four of the Rangers’ goals in a 4-0 loss. This was also in a four-game pointless stretch, his longest of the season.
Report Card
A. Great offensive production (a 69-point pace over a full season), with great consistency (only that one four-game stretch without a point), and the start of some serious chemistry with Adam Fantilli on the second line. His defensive performance could use some improvement, but he’s more than back on the right track.