Kent Johnson signed a three-year, $5.4 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. It has an average annual value of $1.8 million.
The 21-year-old forward, who was a restricted free agent, had 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 42 games last season. He did not play after Feb. 28 because of shoulder surgery.
“Kent Johnson is an exciting young player with tremendous upside, and we are happy that he will continue to grow and develop as a Blue Jacket,” Columbus general manager Don Waddell said. “He is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can be as a player, and we believe he will be a very important part of our hockey club moving forward.”
The No. 5 pick by the Blue Jackets at the 2021 NHL Draft, Johnson has 59 points (22 goals, 37 assists) in 130 games.
