Only a blip on the radar for top prospect Kent Johnson, who has been recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets after missing their first game. The team has sent Jet Greaves, last night’s backup goaltender, back to the minor leagues to make room.
While Johnson had made the team out of camp, an illness for Elvis Merzlikins necessitated the early change. Things could be very different 24 hours later, as the Blue Jackets watched Patrik Laine leave last night’s game with an injury. If Laine is out for any length of time, it could be Johnson stepping into a top-six role, as his offensive skillset plays better there than lower in the lineup.
Selected fifth overall in 2021, the 19-year-old forward was a dominant offensive player at the University of Michigan and has shown his skills at the World Juniors, World Championship, and Olympics. In nine games down the stretch with Columbus last season he recorded three assists, a total that is indicative of his pass-first mentality.
That’s a much different style than Laine, but if the Finnish sniper is out, the Blue Jackets will need someone else to help Jonny Gaudreau carry the load. They were thoroughly outplayed by the Carolina Hurricanes last night en route to a 4-1 loss, with only Laine scoring for Columbus before exiting (he totaled 7:49 of ice time). The Blue Jackets are back in action tomorrow night but things won’t get any easier. They welcome in the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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