Kent Johnson 6-1, 168 pounds
Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
1st round (#5 overall), 2021 NHL Draft
Playstyle comparisons: Kyle Connor, Trevor Zegras
NHL upside: Top line forward
Professional debut: 2022
The top prospect for the Columbus Blue Jackets is Kent Johnson, and there isn’t much to debate here. In fact, TSN ranked Kent as the fourth best prospect in all of hockey in their April review. Ranked as a top-ten pick by most scouting services last summer, the Blue Jackets saw a rising star and nabbed Johnson with their fifth overall pick. The early returns are positive, and it looks like the team might have found an elite playmaker.
Taking the collegiate route meant Kent Johnson would play in the lower tier junior leagues in Canada, in this case, he spent two seasons with Trail (BCHL). NHL prospects typically dominate at this level and Kent was no exception, scoring 61 goals and 147 points in 111 games; before taking his talents to the University of Michigan (NCAA). He would get one collegiate season in before he became eligible for the draft, scoring 9 goals and 27 points, in a season shortened to 26 games due to the COVID pandemic.
After his selection by the Blue Jackets, Johnson returned to Michigan and joined a roster stacked with future NHL talent. He skated mostly on the team’s second line and scored 8 goals and 37 points, in 32 games. Kent also joined team Canada for what became a brief World Junior tournament, where he skated on the top line and was their power play catalyst. After the conclusion of the NCAA season, the Blue Jackets were quick to sign Kent to a three year entry-level contract, and he made his NHL debut on April 13th against Montreal. He would skate in 9 games with the big club this season, scoring his first three points (all assists).
The early production in the NHL does not tell the story, as Kent seemed somewhat snake bitten. A talented skater with terrific hands, Johnson showed off his skating and playmaking abilities right away for the Blue Jackets. He does a great job using his edges to build speed and momentum, and has keen hockey sense that allows him to create offense. Often, I noticed him making accurate passes to players who simply weren’t expecting the puck to reach them. He has a unique ability to slow the play down with the puck on his stick, and makes reads that nobody else on the ice sees.
As he progresses, the most important thing for Johnson will be adding strength and filling out his lanky frame. While I don’t expect him to be the kind of player who throws thundering body checks or engages in post-whistle scrums, he will need strength to stand up to the rigors of an 82 game schedule. He will also need to improve upon his game on the defensive side of the puck, but he’s a coachable player who is loaded with offensive attributes that you simply cannot teach. While his shot isn’t elite, he has good accuracy and a quick release, and his stickhandling can bring you out of your seat. While he can score goals, I see him as a pass-first player … which should make him lethal alongside a natural shooter like Patrik Laine, Oliver Bjorkstrand, or Yegor Chinakhov. Watch: Kent Johnson scores for Team Canada
Kent Johnson will be a Blue Jacket this fall. The only question I have here is, where does he fit into the lineup? I don’t know if he will be a center in this league; it’s too early to tell, and he has a lot to work on away from the puck. But, I do think he’s capable of being a productive forward right out of the gate, especially with quality offensive players around him. In the end, I think he has tremendous upside, and if given the proper development, he could be an elite level player in the NHL. In four or five years, it’s entirely possible that we look back at the 2021 draft and wonder how he was available with the fifth overall pick. He’s that good.