The Penguins should consider making a push for this Blue Jackets forward.
The Pittsburgh Penguins should be looking to add to their roster this off-season. One area that they could look to improve is their current forward group.
When looking at trade candidates around the league, one player who could make a lot of sense for the Penguins to target is Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson.
The 2025-26 season was a tough year for Johnson, as he recorded seven goals and 22 points in 76 games. Yet, when noting that he had 24 goals and 57 points in 68 games for the Blue Jackets during the 2024-25 season, he could be a very good young forward for the Penguins to buy low on.
It is clear that Johnson has skill, but he may need a change of scenery to help hit his full potential. His role with the Blue Jackets notably decreased this season, as his average playing time dropped from 17:18 last season to 13:14 this campaign. In a more significant role on the Penguins, he would have the potential to be a strong pickup.
It will be interesting to see if the Penguins end up kicking tires on Johnson this summer. The last time they traded for a struggling forward from the Blue Jackets certainly worked out with Egor Chinakhov.