Columbus Signs Forward Kent Johnson To A Three-Year Contract

Columbus Signs Forward Kent Johnson To A Three-Year Contract

Columbus has announced the signing of forward Kent Johnson to a three-year deal today. The contract will run through the 26-27 season and will carry a cap hit of $1.8 million per season. 

In a club statement, GM Don Waddell said, “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." He also says, “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.”

Johnson has played 130 NHL games in his short career. He's scored 22 goals and has totaled 59 points in parts of three seasons. 

Johnson has been the subject of some trade talks among hockey fans around the league. Most of them realize that Kent Johnson is a talented player who some say was underutilized last season. He was sent to the AHL after going through a slump to start the season and started the season in the press box. 

But now that speculation can be put to bed, as the Jackets have locked him up for a few years. 

This is a great deal for the Blue Jackets. Johnson will be RFA at the end of this new contract.

This is a much longer contract than most people expected, but it's nice to see Waddell recognizing the talent and locking him in. 

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