C Kent Johnson - Cleveland Monsters, AHL (2021, 5th, CBJ)

[57special]

I don’t know why he would fall. To me he and Beniers are of equal talent. Johnson may be more talented offensively.

Depends what you call falling. His similarity to Mittelstadt in style might hurt him a bit, but I don't know that I can see him falling into the double digits in this draft, which is weak in forwards. Beniers is bigger, stronger, a better skater, is a better two way player, and far more likely to stick at C than Johnson. No mystery as to why he might be picked before Johnson.

 

[Legionnaire]

Hasn't been a problem for Elias Pettersson

Except for when he was one hand slammed.

 

[Breakers]

He won’t drop

Michigan was the most scouted team in the recent memory.

they set records for scouts in attendance at games

 

[Web In Front]

Seattle will take this kid at #2.

Among the Michigan players Beniers is far more likely to go lower than fans/media expect.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I don’t know why he would fall. To me he and Beniers are of equal talent. Johnson may be more talented offensively.

Players fall every year. Kyle Connor, Barzal, Caufield, Teravainen, Pastrnak. With all the top level defenceman in this round, I could see 5 of them going in the top 10.

 

[ponder]

Players fall every year. Kyle Connor, Barzal, Caufield, Teravainen, Pastrnak. With all the top level defenceman in this round, I could see 5 of them going in the top 10.

Nitpick - Pasta didn’t fall. He went 25, which is right around where analysts had him: https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2014/06/24/bob-mckenzies-2014-nhl-draft-rankings/

McKenzie had him at 22, Button 25, THN 23, ISS 33. In retrospect he should have gone too 3 that year, probably 2nd (Drai, Pasta, Point), but at the time ~25th was pretty dead-on pre-draft expectations.

I do agree that Kent Johnson could fall, though. He’s highly skilled, but there are legit questions about his compete level, these types of players are riskier picks, with potential to fall if teams play it more conservative.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Nitpick - Pasta didn’t fall. He went 25, which is right around where analysts had him: https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2014/06/24/bob-mckenzies-2014-nhl-draft-rankings/

McKenzie had him at 22, Button 25, THN 23, ISS 33. In retrospect he should have gone too 3 that year, probably 2nd (Drai, Pasta, Point), but at the time ~25th was pretty dead-on pre-draft expectations.

I do agree that Kent Johnson could fall, though. He’s highly skilled, but there are legit questions about his compete level, these types of players are riskier picks, with potential to fall if teams play it more conservative.

I would have to dig, but I remember drafting him in the 3rd round of my fantasy draft because I saw one rankings that had him at 8. But anyways I agree with your post.

 

[ponder]

I would have to dig, but I remember drafting him in the 3rd round of my fantasy draft because I saw one rankings that had him at 8. But anyways I agree with your post.

Yeah, there was definitely the odd analyst who was (correctly) higher on him, but they were going against the grain. I think the Barzal and Connor mentions, though, are great examples of guys with similar strengths/weaknesses to KJ who fell.

 

[57special]

Barzal had significant injury problems- knee? That's the main reason he fell.

 

[ponder]

Barzal had significant injury problems- knee? That's the main reason he fell.

Yeah, fractured his knee cap early in his draft year, but it was pretty fully healed by the draft. He was ranked ~5-10 on most lists on draft day, him going 16th was a significant fall. Teams picking 5-15 (many of them Boston ) just didn’t love him, it happens.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Seattle will take this kid at #2.

Among the Michigan players Beniers is far more likely to go lower than fans/media expect.

Why?

 

[lawrence]

Seattle will take this kid at #2.

Among the Michigan players Beniers is far more likely to go lower than fans/media expect.

this is one insane hot take. Scouching did a video on him. a ton of his assists came as secondary assists, meaning he was less of the driver and it was Beniers that did most of it. His defensive side of the game needs to work, his first step needs work and his ability to not hog the puck too much needs to be worked on. I can't see him as the number 2 pick though, I think Seattle goes with Beniers, a centreman captain material an American and so for. not that Johnson is a bad player. He will also be an offensive player in the NHL but number 2 overall? But we'll see. I personally think Guenther Eklund and Beniers (the top forwards) will be drafted before him.

 

[covfefe]

this is one insane hot take. Scouching did a video on him. a ton of his assists came as secondary assists, meaning he was less of the driver and it was Beniers that did most of it. His defensive side of the game needs to work, his first step needs work and his ability to not hog the puck too much needs to be worked on. I can't see him as the number 2 pick though, I think Seattle goes with Beniers, a centreman captain material an American and so for. not that Johnson is a bad player. He will also be an offensive player in the NHL but number 2 overall? But we'll see. I personally think Guenther Eklund and Beniers (the top forwards) will be drafted before him.

i think you’re right, but i also think someone will be made a fool in that pursuit. Money is on whoever lands Guenther.

Johnson has 60+ empty points written all over him. as the proud owner of an Ales Hemsky jersey, I think that’s just fine

 

[604]

Hasn't been a problem for Elias Pettersson

Well, Elias missed a lot of time last year and the year before due to being injured.

 

[Web In Front]

this is one insane hot take. Scouching did a video on him. a ton of his assists came as secondary assists, meaning he was less of the driver and it was Beniers that did most of it. His defensive side of the game needs to work, his first step needs work and his ability to not hog the puck too much needs to be worked on. I can't see him as the number 2 pick though, I think Seattle goes with Beniers, a centreman captain material an American and so for. not that Johnson is a bad player. He will also be an offensive player in the NHL but number 2 overall? But we'll see. I personally think Guenther Eklund and Beniers (the top forwards) will be drafted before him.

I know the public consensus is that KJ will go behind the other top forwards but I see him ranked 3rd on Central Scouting's list and wonder how high a team would be willing to take a chance on him. You just need one team to prefer the highest ceiling player in an uncertain draft class over safer options. Seattle's front office is analytics focused so I think they'll weigh his scoring numbers going back to BCHL very heavily. And secondary assists or not scoring a point per game as a college freshman before even being draft eligible historically means future top line player.

 

[bsu]

Hasn't been a problem for Elias Pettersson

I beg to differ...

 

[Fatass]

this is one insane hot take. Scouching did a video on him. a ton of his assists came as secondary assists, meaning he was less of the driver and it was Beniers that did most of it. His defensive side of the game needs to work, his first step needs work and his ability to not hog the puck too much needs to be worked on. I can't see him as the number 2 pick though, I think Seattle goes with Beniers, a centreman captain material an American and so for. not that Johnson is a bad player. He will also be an offensive player in the NHL but number 2 overall? But we'll see. I personally think Guenther Eklund and Beniers (the top forwards) will be drafted before him.

Totally agree. I see Johnson falling to 14 or later. Guys like Lambos, Svechkov, Ceulemans will go before him. Too many red flags, as you point out, with Johnson.

 

[canuckking1]

Well, Elias missed a lot of time last year and the year before due to being injured.

He played 68 out of 69 games last year and 71 out of 82 the year before.

 

[lawrence]

Well, Elias missed a lot of time last year and the year before due to being injured.

Eliass Pettersson missed 1 game in 2020. How is that a lot of time? He missed half the season in 2021 though to an undislosed injury later we found out its the wrist. But sure, I do think 6'1 167 is light for a NHLer and he will need to add on some weight by the time he steps into the NHL. at 6'2 176 is kinda light, but Henrik Sedin was 6'2 181 at his peak.

Totally agree. I see Johnson falling to 14 or later

I personally don't see that happening at all and he will end up a top 10 pick though. the stuff he needs to work on is I don't think it's an issue since it's the stuff that can be taught. He is a mad puck handler and an insane puck possession player. Despite having more secondary assists, he is a highly confident player who can full fill himself of at least a 2nd line winger 65 points for any team I think. Hopefully.

 

[57special]

Johnson played a full season in the NCAA, and looked very good, and at times, better than that. His skills are obvious, even when playing against opponents 4-5 years older than him. I happen to like Beniers a bit better, but I would not be at all surprised if Johnson ends up being the better scorer in the NHL, though it might be at the wing. Some of the criticism on here is puzzling. He is not an unknown quantity, especially in a year when many of his co-draftees played heavily abbreviated seasons, or not at all.

 

[Osakahaus]

I remember reading about most of his points being in garbage time and/or as secondary assists. This could remind me of someone like Josh Bailey with the way hes perceived. even the way he plays reminds me of bailey. This isnt bad at all, but take it as you will. Johnson should go to the wings, and he could be a very good winger/center down the road

 

[Osakahaus]

Johnson played a full season in the NCAA, and looked very good, and at times, better than that. His skills are obvious, even when playing against opponents 4-5 years older than him. I happen to like Beniers a bit better, but I would not be at all surprised if Johnson ends up being the better scorer in the NHL, though it might be at the wing. Some of the criticism on here is puzzling. He is not an unknown quantity, especially in a year when many of his co-draftees played heavily abbreviated seasons, or not at all.

He absolutely could be a great supplementary winger

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

Totally agree. I see Johnson falling to 14 or later. Guys like Lambos, Svechkov, Ceulemans will go before him. Too many red flags, as you point out, with Johnson.

I will take that bet.
If 2 or more of those guys go before Johnson I would be shocked. I also can't see him falling past 10. I will be surprised if he is there for the Canucks' pick.

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

I remember reading about most of his points being in garbage time and/or as secondary assists. This could remind me of someone like Josh Bailey with the way hes perceived. even the way he plays reminds me of bailey. This isnt bad at all, but take it as you will. Johnson should go to the wings, and he could be a very good winger/center down the road

That's actually an interesting comparison. Highly touted, good hands and creative playmaker, but not fast enough to be more than a complimentary first line winger or 2nd line driver. Either way, assuming a bit of a smoother development process than Bailey (whom I have always liked) I would be thrilled to get that at 9.

 

[Fatass]

I will take that bet.
If 2 or more of those guys go before Johnson I would be shocked. I also can't see him falling past 10. I will be surprised if he is there for the Canucks' pick.

I hope you’re right, and Johnson is gone before we pick.