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

[57special]

Johnson really would be fine with another year at Michigan. He's going to be understrength for a while. Though I doubt he'll want to wait any longer and will probably sign his ELC this Spring.

Beniers and Power are 100% gone.

Agreed. Love Johnson, but lack strength will be a problem for him moving forward, I think. The only question is whether he is better off playing NCAA or AHL next year.

 

[QJL]

I would be shocked if Kent Johnson doesn’t see NHL games at the end of his college season. I think it’s a certainty he starts next season in the NHL, regardless of the strength concerns.

 

[majormajor]

Agreed. Love Johnson, but lack strength will be a problem for him moving forward, I think. The only question is whether he is better off playing NCAA or AHL next year.

The Jackets have been displeased that he hasn't gotten time at center in Michigan. FWIW (maybe not much) I've read on twitter that clubs think Michigan isn't focused enough on player development.

 

[Xoggz22]

The Jackets have been displeased that he hasn't gotten time at center in Michigan. FWIW (maybe not much) I've read on twitter that clubs think Michigan isn't focused enough on player development.

Certainly can see that all being true, however, as Michigan (or any college team) has no allegiance to the NHL, their sole focus is winning and if they think they are better with KJ at LW, that's where he'll play. I suspect they want to load up that top line - although that team appears to be loaded on pretty much every line. Either way, I agree with you that this is his last year in Michigan but he certainly wouldn't be out of place staying one more. If CBJ truly see him as a 1C or 2C at the NHL level I have a hard time thinking they don't push for him to leave after this year and get him playing center somewhere in the organization.

 

[Breakers]

Yeah teams really concerned with player development after (checks notes) 4 players chosen in the top 5 of the draft

 

[majormajor]

after (checks notes) 4 players chosen in the top 5 of the draft

I think Michigan's recruiting might have a little something to do with that.

 

[Breakers]

I think Michigan's recruiting might have a little something to do with that.

Michigan’s recruiting told the NHL franchises to pick them.

ummmm

 

[majormajor]

Michigan’s recruiting told the NHL franchises to pick them.

ummmm

Michigan has the best players because they recruited the best players.

For example, Hughes was drafted 4th before even playing for them.

 

[Breakers]

Michigan has the best players because they recruited the best players, and developed them.
.

fixed that for you

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

The Jackets have been displeased that he hasn't gotten time at center in Michigan. FWIW (maybe not much) I've read on twitter that clubs think Michigan isn't focused enough on player development.

Do you have a source for any of this? I can't imagine why Columbus would be surprised that Johnson isn't getting minutes at center over Beniers or Bordeleau.

 

[majormajor]

Do you have a source for any of this? I can't imagine why Columbus would be surprised that Johnson isn't getting minutes at center over Beniers or Bordeleau.

Yeah it's obvious why Michigan is putting Beniers and Bordeleau at center. It isn't surprising. The attitude is not "wow Michigan is incompetent", it's more like "this is not what I think is best for my prospect".

 

[Cowumbus]

If the tournament ends up happening in the summer, hopefully we see a different Kent Johnson. Not sure if it was Covid or what, but he was not at his best.

 

[wetcoast]

If the tournament ends up happening in the summer, hopefully we see a different Kent Johnson. Not sure if it was Covid or what, but he was not at his best.

I think the problem really is his lack of strength, he looked okay but it's also hard for every Canadian player to dominate with only 1 puck on the ice.

I don't see him being a full time NHL player until the 22-23 season earliest.

 

[Cowumbus]

I think the problem really is his lack of strength, he looked okay but it's also hard for every Canadian player to dominate with only 1 puck on the ice.

I don't see him being a full time NHL player until the 22-23 season earliest.

The CBJ can afford to wait for him. He was not very ‘assertive’ on the ice.

 

[majormajor]

I think the problem really is his lack of strength, he looked okay but it's also hard for every Canadian player to dominate with only 1 puck on the ice.

I don't see him being a full time NHL player until the 22-23 season earliest.

Did you mean 23-24? The 22-23 season starts in like 9 months from now.

 

[wetcoast]

Did you mean 23-24? The 22-23 season starts in like 9 months from now.

Yes I did, day drinking here.

 

[majormajor]

Yes I did, day drinking here.

Same, just a drink or two behind you.

 

[Kevin Musto]

The Jackets have been displeased that he hasn't gotten time at center in Michigan.

Really?

I've always projected him as a winger at the NHL level. I'm surprised Columbus thinks otherwise.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Really?

I've always projected him as a winger at the NHL level. I'm surprised Columbus thinks otherwise.

I agree. Let Columbus experiment with him there. Michigan has no obligation to do so.

 

[majormajor]

Really?

I've always projected him as a winger at the NHL level. I'm surprised Columbus thinks otherwise.

He seems like a winger to me, but Jarmo is pretty adamant that they see him as a center, and they want him playing there ASAP.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

He seems like a winger to me, but Jarmo is pretty adamant that they see him as a center, and they want him playing there ASAP.

Needs someone for Laine!

 

[TheHelmet]

Do you have a source for any of this? I can't imagine why Columbus would be surprised that Johnson isn't getting minutes at center over Beniers or Bordeleau.

Adam Mair our player development guy in Buff have said they are ecstatic with player development at michigan with Power and Portillo

Plus I doubt a team comes out and says it, which probably isn't true to begin with.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He’s like Zegras, Hughes, Barzal, Kuznetsov positionally. Probably never a PK’er, but eventually he can play center in the NHL with some two way limits.

 

[bsu]

He’s like Zegras, Hughes, Barzal, Kuznetsov positionally. Probably never a PK’er, but eventually he can play center in the NHL with some two way limits.

Nah all those players listed continue to move their feet when stickhandling, Kent Johnson is more similar to Casey Mittelstadt imo, a little too much gliding for me. I think his upside is Krejci (high upside).

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Nah all those players listed continue to move their feet when stickhandling, Kent Johnson is more similar to Casey Mittelstadt imo, a little too much gliding for me. I think his upside is Krejci (high upside).

Mittelstadt is also similar to those players.

Krejci was an elite defensive center at his best.