| March 3, 2024 |
Johnson will undergo surgery for a torn labrum and miss the rest of the 2023-24 season, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports. - Johnson tallied just six goals and 16 points through 42 NHL games this season. He also racked up 15 points during a 10-game stint with AHL Cleveland. The 21-year-old will spend the offseason recovering and an update on his status for training camp should be available later in the summer. |
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| Feb. 29, 2024 |
Johnson will be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, the Blue Jackets announced Thursday. - The club didn't provide a significant update on Johnson's timeline but the fact that it used the term indefinitely certainly doesn't suggest he's facing a short-term absence. The 21-year-old center is currently mired in a 19-game goal drought during which he's managed just three assists and 29 shots while averaging 13:35 of ice time. Unless Alexandre Texier (illness) is ready to play, the Jackets will presumably need to recall a forward from AHL Cleveland ahead of Thursday's clash with Carolina. |
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| Jan. 23, 2024 |
Johnson posted an assist in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Oilers. - Johnson has two goals and two assists over his last 10 contests. The 21-year-old remains in a third-line role, which is a spot that isn't likely to lead to sustained offense. Johnson has six goals, nine helpers, 45 shots on net and a plus-2 rating through 30 appearances this season. |
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| Jan. 3, 2024 |
Johnson scored his sixth goal of the season in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Bruins. - The young sniper supplied Columbus' only offense on the night, beating Linus Ullmark just under his glove on a wicked shot from the slot early in the second period. Johnson has come on strong since being called back up from AHL Cleveland at the start of December, and over the last 12 games he's delivered five goals and 10 points. |
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| Dec. 20, 2023 |
Johnson picked up a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 9-4 win over Buffalo. - The 21-year-old put the finishing touches on the rout in the third period, helping to set up Cole Sillinger for Columbus' eighth tally before wiring home the team's ninth on a quick one-timer from the slot. Johnson took a few games to get going after his return from AHL Cleveland, but he's produced three multi-point performances in the last six contests, racking up three goals and eight points over that stretch. |
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| Dec. 14, 2023 |
Johnson scored twice and added an assist in a 6-5 overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday. - He ended his first career three-point game with a sizzling top-shelf snipe from the right dot in overtime to seal the win. Johnson has turned the page on his early-season struggles and demotion. In seven games since his recall, he has six points (two goals, four assists), all of which have come in his last four contests. Remarkably, Johnson also finished plus-4 Thursday, even with the Jackets' complete collapse in the third period where they allowed five unanswered goals. Johnson has just five shots in those four games and clearly needs to shoot more, especially with the kind of world-class release he showed against the Leafs. |
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| Dec. 8, 2023 |
Johnson managed an assist in Friday's 5-2 win over the Blues. - Johnson has three assists over five games since he was recalled from AHL Cleveland. All of those points have come over the last two contests. The 21-year-old forward is up to one goal, five assists, 16 shots on net, 10 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through 13 outings overall. He's still a player to hold onto in dynasty formats, but Johnson's bottom-six role currently doesn't offer much hope for him returning value in redraft formats. |
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| Dec. 1, 2023 |
Johnson practiced on the top line during Thursday's practice, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. - Johnson was called up Thursday after Wednesday's disappointing loss in Montreal. Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent put his lines in a blender and came up with Johnson in a top-six role upon his return to Columbus following an impressive five goals and 15 points in 10 games at at AHL Cleveland. Columbus desperately needs offense, and Johnson could deliver. Vincent added that they don't want Johnson yo-yoing between the NHL and AHL, indicating he's here to stay. |
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| Nov. 30, 2023 |
Johnson was recalled from AHL Cleveland on Thursday. - Johnson seemed lost when he was sent to the minors Nov. 4, as he had only a goal and two assists in eight games. It seems the trip to the minors did wonders for the fifth overall pick in the 2021 Draft, as Johnson had five goals and 15 points in 10 games with the Monsters. The Blue Jackets are in dire need of scoring as they sit 24th in NHL scoring. Look for Johnson to get a top-nine role at this time and expect to see him as a top-six forward in the near future. |
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| Nov. 27, 2023 |
Johnson has scored five goals and 15 points in 10 games since being reassigned to AHL Cleveland, but there's still no clear timeline for his return to the Blue Jackets, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. - "It's [about] getting stronger physically, and it's not his fault. He's doing everything right," Columbus coach Pascal Vincent said Friday. "He's just built that way, and now we've created [an off-ice] program for him to improve his ability to win those one-on-one battles. This is great that he's scoring goals, but it's more than points." Johnson is still only 21 and scored 40 points in 79 games as a rookie last season, so the Blue Jackets still view him as a key part of their future. It might take an injury or trade to open up a spot for him in the NHL in the short term, however. |
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| Nov. 12, 2023 |
Johnson scored two goals in Friday's game for AHL Cleveland, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. - Johnson was sent down to Cleveland a week ago and has already piled up two goals and five points in three AHL games, but the 2021 fifth overall pick's offensive skill has never been in question. The 21-year-old also skated at center for Cleveland on Friday, and while he'll likely be a winger in the NHL, more versatility certainly can't hurt his future outlook. Johnson's demotion was largely due to his need to get stronger on the puck and better able to handle the physical demands of the NHL, so his fast start for the Monsters may not impact how quickly he's back with Columbus. The fact that Patrik Laine returned from injured reserve Friday just further crowds the Jackets' forward ranks, and it might take a trade to open up room for Johnson once the team feels he's ready. |
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| Nov. 4, 2023 |
Johnson had two assists in Friday's 7-3 loss to Providence during his AHL debut. - After being selected fifth overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Johnson went straight from the University of Michigan to the Blue Jackets in April of 2022. He had 16 goals and 24 assists in 79 NHL games last season, but he has struggled so far this year. The Blue Jackets demoted him to Cleveland on Friday to try to help him regain some confidence, and per Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch, the organization's plan for Johnson is to have him focus on getting stronger and better adapted to the rigors of pro hockey. "It's a matter of, physically, we have a plan for him to get stronger and more strength in the 1-on-1 battles," Jackets coach Pascal Vincent said Friday. "That's going to take time, but he's a guy that takes it very seriously. So, we have big plans for 'KJ.' I think he's going to be a hell of a player." |
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| Nov. 3, 2023 |
Johnson was reassigned to AHL Cleveland on Friday, - It's been a tough start to the season for the 21-year-old as he has a goal and two assists in eight games. Johnson was a healthy scratch twice in the early going and needs to play a lot to regain his confidence. Johnson was also benched for the final 14 minutes Thursday after a bad turnover on the power play. The fifth overall pick in 2021, Johnson had 16 goals and 40 points in 79 NHL games last season. |
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| Oct. 22, 2023 |
Johnson scored his first goal of the season in Saturday's 5-4 overtime win over the Wild. - On a faceoff in the Minnesota end early in the second period, Cole Sillinger won the draw and got the puck back to Johnson, who immediately ripped it top shelf over Filip Gustavsson. It's Johnson's second point in four games, and after recording 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games as a rookie last season, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft could take a step forward in his sophomore campaign as part of Columbus' young core. |
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| Oct. 14, 2023 |
Johnson will be in the lineup Saturday against the Rangers after being a healthy scratch for the Blue Jackets' season opener, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports. "We just wanted more pace [from Johnson], and he brought it in practices," coach Pascal Vincent said Friday. - The 20-year-old watched from the press box against the Flyers on Thursday, but whatever message the coaching staff was trying to send appears to have been received. Johnson scored 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games as a rookie last season, and he's expected to make his 2023-24 debut Saturday on the third line alongside Cole Sillinger -- who was taken 12th overall in the same 2021 NHL Draft in which Johnson went fifth. |
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| March 8, 2023 |
Johnson collected two assists, one on the power play, in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to Pittsburgh. - Both points came in the first period, helping Columbus jump out to a 4-0 lead that they somehow squandered. Johnson is still only 20 years old and playing for a team gunning for the top pick in the Connor Bedard draft, so his lack of consistent production in the NHL isn't a big surprise, but he continues to offer glimpses of his skill and upside. Through 61 games this season, he's picked up 13 goals and 31 points. |
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| Feb. 16, 2023 |
Johnson scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over Winnipeg on Thursday. - Johnson showed off his incredible hands with a surprising turn-around shot from the right circle at the mid-point of the third period. The rookie has four goals (six points) in his last eight games, and he now sits in a tie for fourth on both the rookie point board (27) and goals (12). |
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| Feb. 12, 2023 |
Johnson scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in Saturday's 4-3 win over Toronto. - There was a little controversy surrounding his tally early in the third period as it appeared to have been redirected behind Joseph Woll with a high stick, but it was ruled a good goal upon review. Johnson is beginning to flash his significant upside, producing multi-point performances in three of the last eight games, and on the season the 20-year-old has 11 goals and 26 points through 50 games. |
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| Jan. 28, 2023 |
Johnson scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Kraken. - Johnson tallied late in the second period after the Kraken committed a turnover in the neutral zone. The goal was his fifth point over the last five games. The 20-year-old is up to 10 tallies, 24 points, 65 shots on net and a minus-5 rating through 47 appearances, doing well enough to regularly log middle-six minutes. |
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| Jan. 25, 2023 |
Johnson scored a goal on four shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Oilers. - Johnson secured the win halfway through overtime, snapping a 15-game goal drought with his first career overtime tally. The 20-year-old had five assists during that slump -- he's yet to find consistency at both ends of the ice, leading to a fluctuation in role and playing time. He's up to nine tallies, 13 helpers, 63 shots on net and a minus-5 rating through 45 contests this season. |
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| Jan. 22, 2023 |
Johnson recorded two assists in Saturday's win over San Jose. - Put on a line with veterans Boone Jenner and Gustav Nyquist after a sluggish start to the game for the Blue Jackets, Johnson set up each of his linemates for goals with some slick stickwork, including Nyquist's game-winner midway through the third period. The rookie hasn't scored a goal of his own in 14 straight games and has managed only five assists over that stretch, but Johnson still flashes enough upside to give him fantasy value in dynasty and keeper formats. On the season, the 20-year-old has eight goals and 21 points through 43 games. |
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| Jan. 8, 2023 |
Johnson picked up two assists and was a minus-1 rating in the Blue Jackets' 4-3 shootout win over the Hurricanes on Saturday. - The third star of Saturday's contest, Johnson picked up helpers on both power-play goals by Kirill Marchenko in the second period. This performance snaps Johnson's five-game pointless streak and could mark the start of a hot streak. On the season, Johnson has eight goals and 18 points. |
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| Dec. 21, 2022 |
Johnson scored his eighth goal of the season in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Flyers. - Johnson and Kirill Marchenko scored less than three minutes apart early in the second period to give Columbus a 2-1 lead, but Philly's own young guns quickly answered back. Johnson has found the back of the net in back-to-back games since moving up to center the top line between Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine, both of whom picked up assists on Tuesday's tally, and the 20-year-old has the elite offensive skills to hang with his two more experienced linemates. With Boone Jenner (thumb) out until the new year, Johnson appears set for an extended audition in the spotlight. |
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| Dec. 19, 2022 |
Johnson scored his seventh goal of the season in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Stars. - Columbus was blanked for over 59 minutes, but Johnson ruined Jake Oettinger's shutout bid by sneaking a backhander past him with only 15 seconds left on the clock. The 20-year-old rookie didn't look out of place skating on the top line between Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine, and while he has more value in dynasty formats than re-drafts leagues, Johnson could have some short-term fantasy appeal while he holds down that assignment. |
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| Dec. 4, 2022 |
Johnson scored a goal in Columbus' 4-2 loss to Detroit on Sunday. - Johnson has six goals and 13 points in 20 games this season. He's only been held off the scoresheet once in his last four contests. He hasn't had a scoring drought of more than two games so far in 2022-23, which is made more impressive by the fact that Johnson isn't playing a substantial role with the team. He went into Sunday's contest averaging just 12:35 of ice time. The 20-year-old logged a season-low 8:14 in Friday's 4-1 victory over Winnipeg, but that jumped to 15:18 on Sunday. |
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| Dec. 2, 2022 |
Johnson recorded an assist in Friday's 4-1 win over the Jets. - Johnson continued his warm run of late by helping out on an Erik Gudbranson goal in the first period. Since returning from a two-game absence with an undisclosed injury, Johnson has two goals and four helpers in eight contests, including his first career multi-point effort. The 20-year-old is up to five tallies, seven helpers and 22 shots on net in 19 outings overall, which could him some fantasy value in deeper redraft formats as a scoring-only forward. |
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| Nov. 26, 2022 |
Johnson scored a goal and drew an assist during Friday's 3-2 loss to the visiting Islanders. - Entering Friday tied for third among NHL rookies with four goals, Johnson continues climbing up the first-year scoring charts. The 2021 No. 5 overall draft pick earned his first multipoint game of his 26-game career Friday. Johnson converted on a 5-on-3 situation, 33 seconds after Yegor Chinakhov connected. Johnson shared the team lead with four shots during the loss. |
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| Nov. 20, 2022 |
Johnson netted a power-play goal in a 5-3 win against Florida on Sunday. - Johnson has four goals and nine points in 15 games this season. He's been effectively lately, recording a point in three of his last four contests. He's worth keeping an eye on right now because he's currently on the top power-play unit. That hasn't always been the case for him, but as long he can stay in that role, he could be a solid offensive contributor. |
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| Nov. 11, 2022 |
Johnson (undisclosed) will return to the lineup Saturday against the Islanders, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports. - Johnson sat out Thursday against the Flyers as he was 'dinged up', but coach Brad Larsen has said the rookie will be good to go Saturday. Johnson has three goals and three assists in 11 games this season. |
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| Nov. 10, 2022 |
Johnson (undisclosed) will not play Thursday versus the Flyers, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports. - Johnson has three goals and six points in 11 games this season. He is "dinged up" and will miss his first game since he was recalled after Opening Night when Patrik Laine was injured. |
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| Oct. 23, 2022 |
Johnson scored a goal Saturday in a 6-3 loss to Pittsburgh. - This one goes on the mantle. Johnson took a pass from Jack Roslovic early in the second, skated in front of the net, and avoided a poke check from Tristan Jarry before scoring with his backhand. It was his first goal in 14 NHL games. |
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| Oct. 13, 2022 |
Johnson was recalled from AHL Cleveland on Thursday, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. - Johnson, who was drafted fifth overall in 2021, played nine games last season for the Blue Jackets, picking up three assists. Johnson should see action, especially if Patrik Laine is unable to go after getting hurt Wednesday. |
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| Sept. 26, 2022 |
Johnson centered the Blue Jackets' top line between Patrik Laine and Johnny Gaudreau during Sunday's split-squad exhibition game against the Penguins, Bailey Johnson of The Columbus Dispatch reports. - The fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft made his NHL debut at the end of last season as a teenager, and despite the fact that Johnson won't turn 20 until mid-October, the Jackets at least seem willing to give him a chance to earn a prominent spot in the lineup. The youngster drew praise from his star linemates after Sunday's contest for his skill and maturity, with Laine joking Johnson could be in the running for both the Calder Trophy as top rookie and the Selke Trophy as best defensive forward. If Johnson can stick between two point-a-game producers like Laine and Gaudreau, a Calder-worthy campaign certainly isn't out of the question, but coach Brad Larsen could cycle through a few different centers on the line this preseason before deciding who will get that plum assignment to begin the year. |
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| April 23, 2022 |
Johnson recorded an assist in Friday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Senators. - The 19-year-old produced his first NHL point (a power-play assist) in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Sharks, and Johnson replicated that output in this latest contest despite only seeing 13:42 of ice time. This is a fun time of year for hockey fans that like to get a sneak peek at the league's prospects; Johnson is certainly in that group as Columbus' fifth overall pick from the 2021 draft. |
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| April 19, 2022 |
Johnson notched a power-play assist and two hits in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Sharks. - Johnson had the secondary assist on Jack Roslovic's tally at 1:32 of the third period. The assist was Johnson's first point in four NHL appearances. The 19-year-old has been limited to a middle-six role since joining the Blue Jackets, but he saw a season-high 16:24 of ice time in this contest. |
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