Kent Johnson - NHL News & Rumors

Activated from injured reserve The Blue Jackets activated Johnson (shoulder) from injured reserve Thursday.

Impact Johnson was off to a great start with two goals and three assists in his first four games, before a shoulder injury knocked him out of the lineup, forcing him to miss 14 games. Johnson, who was selected fifth overall in 2021, is expected to play alongside Adam Fantilli and James van Riemsdyk on the second line Thursday when Columbus hosts Tampa Bay. He should also see power-play time on second unit as he is eased back into the lineup.

38 MINS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Likely available for Thursday Johnson is likely to return for Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

Impact Johnson practiced alongside Adam Fantilli and James van Riemsdyk on Wednesday, so those are his projected linemates if he does play Thursday. The 22-year-old Johnson hasn't been in the lineup since Oct. 17. He was red hot before the injury, starting the campaign with two goals and five points across four appearances.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return According to Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site, Johnson (shoulder) won't play Monday versus Boston, but he is getting close to returning to the lineup.

Impact Johnson will miss his 14th straight game after suffering a shoulder injury against Buffalo on Oct. 17. He started the 2024-25 campaign with two goals, five points and eight shots on net in four appearances. Once healthy, Johnson could slot into a top-six role and see power-play time, making him an intriguing fantasy option.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

At practice Thursday Johnson (shoulder) is practicing Thursday for the first time since he was injured Oct. 17, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

Impact Johnson was off to a fast start with two goals and five points in four games before he was hurt. The 22-year-old was selected fifth overall in 2021 and had a tough 2023-24 campaign in which he had six goals and 16 points in only 42 regular-season games. He also spent time at AHL Cleveland last season -- scoring five goals and 10 assists in 10 appearances -- after playing 79 regular-season games as a 19-year-old with the Blue Jackets. Look for Johnson to have a top-six role upon his return.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Moves to IR Johnson (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.

Impact Johnson hasn't played since Oct. 17, and his return to the lineup isn't imminent. The move to IR will open a potential roster spot for Columbus. The 22-year-old forward has two goals, three assists and eight shots on net through four appearances this season.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Skating Monday Johnson (shoulder) skated after the Jackets' main practice Monday, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Johnson is not expected back until late November due to his long-term shoulder injury but it certainly could have been longer had he required surgery. While it's a step in the right direction, fantasy players probably shouldn't get too excited about the imminent return of the 22-year-old center until he takes contact in a full practice.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Surgery not needed Per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Johnson will not require surgery on his left shoulder, general manager Don Waddell said Friday.

Impact Johnson was injured Oct. 17 versus the Sabres. The Blue Jackets medical staff think that the injury can be treated with rehab, but that Johnson will be out indefinitely. Johnson was off to a hot start with two goals and five points in four games, showing why he was selected fifth overall in the 2021 Draft.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Not a short-term injury Per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Johnson (upper body) will not be out "short term" according to coach Dean Evason.

Impact After a rough season in 2023-24, when the 21-year-old had only six goals and 10 assists in 42 regular-season appearances, Johnson started the 2024-25 campaign with a bang, scoring twice and adding three assists in four games. The fifth overall selection in the 2021 Draft, Johnso's loss will be felt by the Blue Jackets as their talent up front has been depleted by injuries and the untimely death of Johnny Gaudreau.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Outlook not good Johnson's upper-body injury looks like it will cost him time, but the Blue Jackets will know more on the 21-year-old's status Friday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Impact Head coach Dean Evason had a similar reaction to Johnson's injury as the one Erik Gudbranson (upper body) suffered earlier in the week, which landed the defenseman on injured reserve. Johnson was off to a great start with five points in four appearances this season, but it looks like his potential breakout campaign will be paused. Kevin Labanc would likely draw back into the lineup if Johnson is officially ruled out for Saturday's game versus the Wild.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Exits game due to upper-body injury Johnson left Thursday's game against Buffalo due to an upper-body injury and won't return.

Impact Johnson registered an assist in 6:26 of ice time before exiting the contest. The Blue Jackets' next game is Saturday against Minnesota. If Johnson isn't available for that clash, then Kevin Labanc might draw into the lineup.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies in consecutive games Johnson scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Avalanche.

Impact Johnson stretched the Blue Jackets' lead to 2-0 in the first period. The 21-year-old has two goals, one assist and six shots on net over the first two games of the year. More impressively, he led all Columbus forwards with 21:30 of ice time despite beginning the game in a third-line role. He's poised for a breakout campaign after being limited to 16 points in 42 contests in 2023-24. He had a 40-point rookie year in 2022-23, and if he finds his way into a top-six role, he'll have a good chance of pushing past that mark.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Blue Jackets' Kent Johnson Snaps Shot Past Alexander Georgiev From Tough Angle

OCTOBER 13 • YOUTUBE

Scores, assists in loss to Wild Johnson notched a goal and a power-play assist in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Wild.

Impact Johnson was the Blue Jackets' best player in this game and was directly involved in the team's two goals, slotting a wrist shot past Filip Gustavsson in the early stages of the second period and then setting up Zach Werenski's power-play goal in the third. Johnson notched 16 points in 42 contests during the 2023-24 campaign, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the 21-year-old forward surpass that tally in 2024-25 as long as he remains healthy.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Werenski, Damon Severson, Kent Johnson, HC Dean Evason on the Season Opener | Postgame Media

OCTOBER 11 • YOUTUBE

Bags goal in Friday loss Johnson scored an unassisted goal (on three shots) in Friday's 7-3 preseason loss to the Penguins

Impact Johnson's goal in the second period allowed Columbus to put a break on a red-hot Pittsburgh offense, as the Penguins scored five unanswered goals to erase what had been a strong start from the Blue Jackets. Johnson has looked healthy in the preseason after undergoing shoulder surgery in March and figures to see plenty of ice time as a top-six forward and member of the powerplay unit. The 21-year-old notched 16 points in 42 contests before incurring his shoulder injury last season.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Cole Sillinger & Kent Johnson on How the Preseason Has Prepared Them for Game 1 | Postgame Media

OCTOBER 4 • YOUTUBE

Good to go ahead of 2024-25 Johnson is fully healthy after undergoing shoulder surgery in March, per Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site

Impact Johnson will be ready for the start of training camp after recovering from shoulder surgery. The fifth overall selection of the 2021 NHL draft looks to be a fixture in the top-six forward group for Columbus going forward. The 21-year-old notched 16 points in 42 contests before incurring his shoulder injury this year. Overall in his three-year NHL career, Johnson has 59 points in 130 games.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

NHL Tonight: Kent Johnson, Blue Jackets' offseason | NHL.com Breaking down Kent Johnson's three-year deal, Blue Jackets' offseason outlook

JULY 30 • NHL.COM

Inks three-year deal Johnson signed a three-year, $5.4 million contract with the Blue Jackets on Saturday.

Impact Johnson was a restricted free agent this summer after finishing his entry-level contract. He had six goals and 16 points in 42 appearances with Columbus in 2023-24. Johnson didn't play past Feb. 28 due to a torn labrum that resulted in surgery.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Done for the year Johnson will undergo surgery for a torn labrum and miss the rest of the 2023-24 season, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Impact Johnson tallied just six goals and 16 points through 42 NHL games this season. He also racked up 15 points during a 10-game stint with AHL Cleveland. The 21-year-old will spend the offseason recovering and an update on his status for training camp should be available later in the summer.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined indefinitely Johnson will be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, the Jackets announced Thursday.

Impact The club didn't provide a significant update on Johnson's timeline but the fact that it used the term indefinitely certainly doesn't bode well for a short-term absence. The 21-year-old center is currently mired in a 19-game goal drought during which he managed just three assists and 29 shots while averaging 13:35 of ice time. Unless Alexandre Texier (illness) is ready to play, the Jackets will need to recall a forward from AHL Cleveland ahead of Thursday's clash with Carolina.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Notches helper in loss Johnson posted an assist in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Oilers.

Impact Johnson has two goals and two assists over his last 10 contests. The 21-year-old remains in a third-line role, which is a spot that isn't likely to lead to sustained offense. Johnson has six goals, nine helpers, 45 shots on net and a plus-2 rating through 30 appearances this season.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Scoring surge continues Johnson scored his sixth goal of the season in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Bruins.

Impact The young sniper supplied Columbus' only offense on the night, beating Linus Ullmark just under his glove on a wicked shot from the slot early in the second period. Johnson has come on strong since being called back up from AHL Cleveland at the start of December, and over the last 12 games he's delivered five goals and 10 points.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Kent Johnson, Ivan Provorov, Spencer Martin and HC Pascal Vincent | Postgame Media (1/2/24)

JANUARY 3 • YOUTUBE

Two points against Sabres Johnson picked up a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 9-4 win over Buffalo.

Impact The 21-year-old put the finishing touches on the rout in the third period, helping to set up Cole Sillinger for Columbus' eighth tally before wiring home the team's ninth on a quick one-timer from the slot. Johnson took a few games to get going after his return from AHL Cleveland, but he's produced three multi-point performances in the last six contests, racking up three goals and eight points over that stretch.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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