Thanks to the 79 readers who submitted ballots in this year’s ranking of Columbus Blue Jackets players under the age of 25. And now, the penultimate post.
#2 – Kent Johnson
Voting
2nd out of 45 eligible players
Writer Rank: 3rd
Reader Rank: 2nd
Highest Placement: 1st (12 votes)
Most Common Placement: 3rd (32 votes)
2022 Rank: 3rd
Biography
Birthdate: October 18, 2002
Birthplace: Port Moody, British Columbia
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 168 lbs.
Position: LW/C
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2021 1st Round Pick, 5th Overall
2022-23 Season:
Following a brief stint with the Jackets after his sophomore season at Michigan, Kent Johnson returned to Columbus for his first full NHL season, and was spectacular. He played all but three games, third highest on the team. Despite bouncing from the fourth to first line in those 79 games, he came out with 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points on the year. That’s good enough to be the third highest-scoring rookie season in franchise history, ahead of even Rick Nash. He finished the year consistently getting top 6 minutes, though he only got two points in the last 10 games and none in the last five, but that may be due to the team’s injury woes being truly absurd to end the year.
2023-24 Outlook:
Many fans, myself among them, are projecting Johnson into the 2LW role with Kirill Marchenko and …some mystery center. Hopefully he sticks there, can continue to produce at a high level, and help to boost the Blue Jackets out of the basement.
Highlights:
The Michigan grad’s nasty Michigan goal is a must-watch, but he had several other highlights last year. Enjoy!