Kent Johnson keeps popping up in trade chatter, but for now the Columbus Blue Jackets seem ready to slam the brakes on that talk.
The 23-year-old forward has become a familiar name in speculation around the league, and just yesterday The Fourth Period said Johnson’s name continues to “swirl” in trade discussions. But inside Columbus, the message has been clear for a while: Don Waddell and Rick Bowness want to give him every chance to succeed. At their end-of-year media day, both said they were not going to give up on a 23-year-old, even though they did not say Johnson’s name directly.
That stance makes sense when you look at what Johnson brings. He was the No. 5 overall pick in 2021, and even with the uneven start to his NHL career, the talent jumps out the second the puck gets on his stick. That’s a big reason so many people outside Columbus keep circling him as a possible trade target.
Right now, though, the Blue Jackets have him in a spot that could help settle the debate. Johnson opened the season on the top line with Adam Fantilli and Matthew Knies, and the results have been strong. The trio has combined for seven points in two games, with four goals.
Johnson himself has two points, six shots on goal, and an average of 16:04 in ice time through those two games. It’s a solid start, even if the season is still barely underway.
That’s why the outside noise should cool off unless his play takes a major turn for the worse. Short of a 20-game pointless drought, the trade talk feels out of step with what Columbus is trying to do here.
There was plenty of chatter over the summer that the Blue Jackets were headed for a fire sale after the Werenski and Marchenko drama, but that has been sorted out. Unless Don Waddell gets blown away by an offer for Kent Johnson, the speculation should fade.
Columbus’ next game comes Friday, when the Blue Jackets host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena.
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