The Blue Jackets roster just got a whole lot craftier. Kent Johnson, the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is expected to make his NHL debut tonight when the Blue Jackets go head-to-head with the Canadiens.
The 19-year-old forward enjoyed this season with Michigan in the NCAA, helping the group to a Big Ten title as well as a Frozen Four appearance. The group fell in the public elimination rounds 3-2 in extra time to Denver.
The Blue Jackets have surpassed assumptions this year, yet are still beyond the season finisher picture. Johnson will actually want to play the keep going not many leftover games on the timetable to get a vibe of what playing at the high level in hockey is like.
Here is all that you want to be aware in front of Johnson’s Blue Jackets debut this evening.
How to watch Kent Johnson’s debut
- Date: Wednesday, April 13
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The Blue Jackets-Canadiens game can be streamed on ESPN+ in the United States.
For Canadian viewers, the game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet, as well as available to stream on Sportsnet NOW or the Sportsnet app.
How did Kent Johnson do with Michigan this season?
Subsequent to averaging over a point for each game his first year, Johnson followed it up with one more noteworthy appearance with Michigan this season. The sneaky winger tied Owen Power for the most helps in the group with 29, while completing in a tie for fourth in focuses with 37.
His focuses set him fifth in the Big Ten, yet his 1.16 focuses per game result was adequate to attach with individual Wolverine Matty Beniers for second in the meeting. Altogether, Johnson finished his Michigan vocation with 17 objectives, 47 helps and 64 focuses in 58 games.
The local of Port Moody, B.C. likewise played for Team Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics, keep five focuses in five games.
What does Kent Johnson bring to the Blue Jackets?
The Blue Jackets prospect claims probably the silkiest gloves you’ll mind. Johnson has an uncanny capacity to deke around protectors, not reluctant to go through them as opposed to around them.
He’s solid with the puck on his stick and can peruse the non-verbal communication of protectors to get everything he might want by them. Johnson is sufficiently brilliant to know when to dish the puck to one of his colleagues instead of pursue an additional a move.
In spite of the entirety of his expertise, Johnson is more known as a wholesaler as opposed to an objective scorer. He’ll make for an extraordinary hostile weapon in a Blue Jackets group needing some imagination.
Who will Kent Johnson play with?
At the Blue Jackets’ practices on Monday and Tuesday, Johnson skated on the left wing on a line with Justin Danforth and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Johnson also saw time in practice on the second power-play unit.
Kent Johnson contract details
Power and the Sabres agreed to a three-year, $5.55 million entry-level contract on April 8. The contract carries an AAV of $1.85 million with a cap hit of $925,000 each year.
He’ll be a restricted free agent after the 2023-24 season.
