...
By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Two of the top players on the NHL trade block — Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski and 70-point forward Kirill Marchenko — happen to play for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
As of Monday morning, Columbus made another high-profile player available via trade in former No. 5 overall pick Kent Johnson, according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli.
The 23-year-old Johnson has played five seasons with the Blue Jackets but has yet to carve out a role for himself. His best season came in 2024 when he tallied 24 goals and 57 points. It’s the only time he’s scored more than 16 goals or 40 points in any season.
Read More on Sports
...
When Columbus drafted him back in 2021, it presumably envisioned him being the team’s No. 1 center of the future (the team passed on several other talented forwards like William Eklund, Wyatt Johnston and Mackie Samoskevich to take him).
But in the years since he was selected, Johnson has been beat out on the depth chart by Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, and Charlie Coyle, making him expendable.
If the Blue Jackets were to part with Johnson, they likely wouldn’t get back anything close to what they have invested in him. A third- or fourth-round pick might be the going rate for a player of his caliber right now, but recouping anything for him might be a win in Columbus’ eyes.
Johnson is still young enough a team wanting to beef up its center depth like the Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs, or Washington Capitals could take a flier on trying to resurrect his career.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines