Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson is set to have season-ending shoulder surgery, the team announced on Sunday. The news comes after Johnson suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder in a game against the Rangers earlier in the week. The 21-year-old, who was the fifth pick in the 2021 NHL draft, ends his sophomore campaign with six goals and 16 points in 42 games. Alexandre Texier has replaced Johnson on Columbus' third line.
Kent Johnson Out Indefinitely With Upper-Body Injury
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson will be sidelined indefinitely due to an upper-body injury. He managed to get through Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers but was injured at some point during the contest. The 2021 fifth-overall pick has notched six goals and 16 points across 42 games, a little bit of a disappointing season considering he registered 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games as a rookie last season. Johnson was demoted to the American Hockey League earlier in the season where he recorded a healthy five goals and 15 points across just 10 games for the Cleveland Monsters. The University of Michigan product will be replaced in the lineup by Alexandre Texier on Thursday versus the Carolina Hurricanes.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson had his best performance of the season in Thursday's 6-5 overtime victory against the Maple Leafs. The 21-year-old added an assist and scored two goals, including the game-winning goal in overtime to finish with a season-high of three points in the contest. Johnson has improved his play since being recalled from the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, as the fifth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft has totaled six points and a plus-five rating over the previous four games.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson has been recalled from Cleveland of the American Hockey League on Thursday. The 2021 fifth-overall pick cracked the Blue Jackets' roster out of camp but struggled with just one goal and three points in eight games while registering just 11 shots on goal. Johnson fared far better in Cleveland, however, as he recorded five goals and 15 points in 10 games alongside a plus-five rating with the Monsters. The 21-year-old tallied a solid 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games as a 20-year-old rookie last season and will look to get his game back on track at the NHL level moving forward. Johnson takes the roster spot of defenseman Damon Severson, who was placed on injured reserve on Thursday.
