Johnson practices with Blue Jackets, could make NHL debut Wednesday

Kent Johnson
joined the Columbus Blue Jackets for practice Monday, three days after the forward signed a three-year, entry-level contract with them.

The 19-year-old sophomore from the University of Michigan was selected by the Blue Jackets with the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He was tied for fourth on Michigan with 37 points (eight goals, 29 assists) in 32 games.
"It was really fun, a good practice there," Johnson said. "Good to just get comfortable, felt better as the practice went on for sure so it was pretty fun. Every time on the ice, I am already wanting it to be tomorrow's practice. Definitely just really fun and exciting."
Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said he would decide later in the week if Johnson would make his NHL debut on Wednesday when Columbus plays the Montreal Canadiens.
Johnson, who can play center, skated at practice on the wing.
"I think that's the wisest thing to do and give him a chance to get his feet wet here in a position he's familiar with," Larsen said. "You can see the skillset on Kent there, he's got some pretty good hands."

Michigan's season ended with a 3-2 overtime loss to the University of Denver on Thursday in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinal round in Boston.
In two seasons with Michigan, Johnson had 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) in 58 games.
Johnson scored one goal in two games for Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship before the tournament was postponed due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. He also had five points (one goal, four assists) in five games at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The Blue Jackets also signed Johnson's teammate, undrafted defenseman Nick Blankenburg on Friday to a one-year, entry-level contract for the remainder of the season. The Michigan captain had 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in 38 games as a senior this season and 68 points (25 goals, 43 assists) in 133 games with the Wolverines.
"You can just see during games his deception with the puck is unbelievable and just the way that he makes guys think he's going one way and then he'll just be going the complete other way," Blankenburg said of Johnson.
"He's pretty strong on the puck, which for a guy who's 5-11, 165-170 pounds, he's pretty hard to knock him off the puck, which is pretty special, so I'm excited to watch him play at the next level and happy that I maybe get to do it with him."
NHL.com independent correspondent Craig Merz contributed to this report