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

[MichaelFarrell]

KJ had an unremarkable pre season, I haven’t seen the lineup for the game yet, but he might get scratched tomorrow

Everybody is saying he’s NHL ready, but I still think he needs some time in the minors to refine his game. I think he can be a great player, but it might take him some time

 

[SoundAndFury]

Everybody is saying he’s NHL ready, but I still think he needs some time in the minors to refine his game. I think he can be a great player, but it might take him some time

I think it just depends on perspective. He is ready the same way Chinakhov was last year - doesn't mean he is going to be successful, just that he isn't going to completely drown. Thinking that's not actually ready in the real sense of the word is a very legit opinion.

 

[majormajor]

Everybody is saying he’s NHL ready, but I still think he needs some time in the minors to refine his game. I think he can be a great player, but it might take him some time

I watched all of KJ's pre-season shifts and I didn't see much needing refinement. He's improved on a lot of details. He wasn't missing anything at center ice other than faceoff ability. He'd still obviously benefit from getting stronger but I can't think of much else for him to fix in the minors. He's ready but not obviously better than Jenner or Roslovic at top six center, so he's in limbo right now. On last year's Jackets this version of KJ would have easily beat Sillinger for a center job.

I think it just depends on perspective. He is ready the same way Chinakhov was last year - doesn't mean he is going to be successful, just that he isn't going to completely drown. Thinking that's not actually really in a real sense of the word is a very legit opinion.

Much further ahead of last year's Chinakhov. I didn't think Chinny was ready last year (though he looks great now).

 

[Lavar Ball]

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[stevo61]

I cant wait for the day he and Gaudreau touch the ice together. He is incredibly skilled and progressing much faster than I expected. Hes made me completely forget I was upset about the fact Anaheim took MacTavish before Columbus could.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[A1LeafNation]

Why don't they play him at center? Columbus needs a #1C badly.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Why don't they play him at center? Columbus needs a #1C badly.

It’ll come possibly. Right now he’s starting to get his footing with Roslovic and Voracek. Let him get some confidence in the NHL first

 

[majormajor]

Why don't they play him at center? Columbus needs a #1C badly.

Most Jackets fans on the board seem to think he belongs there. He looks good at center at everything besides faceoffs.

Right now he's on a hot line (KJ - Roslovic - Voracek) so there is less impetus to move him around, but I bet before long he will be the 1C.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[QC4TheWin]

HO !!! I wish him some success, I think he deserves it !!

 

[Dominance]

That’s his predestined spot. I hope he grabs hold of it tonight and never let’s go.

 

[tunnelvision]

I thought he looked alright tonight at center, except in faceoffs (3/11). Should get another chance tomorrow whether it's with Laine and JG or some other winger(s).

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Scored a goal in garbage time. Was a nice shot though. Shows a lot of skills and you can tell when he gets bigger he will be a stud.

But overall tonight he was just OK, at best

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Scored a goal in garbage time. Was a nice shot though. Shows a lot of skills and you can tell when he gets bigger he will be a stud.

But overall tonight he was just OK, at best

I agree, talent and skill wise he's already there but needs to get used to NHL speed as well as get stronger.

He will be a top line player for sure

 

[vildurson]

I agree, talent and skill wise he's already there but needs to get used to NHL speed as well as get stronger.

He will be a top line player for sure

He is guy who tries things in volume and sees what works and what does not work. Everything might not work at the beginning but things will come to him as long as he can keep trying his stuff.

There is a high chance that he will figure it out on how to be an effective first liner in NHL too. He has all the tools for it.

 

[majormajor]

Scored a goal in garbage time. Was a nice shot though. Shows a lot of skills and you can tell when he gets bigger he will be a stud.

But overall tonight he was just OK, at best

I think if Laine and Gaudreau weren't in a funk then KJ could have had a few assists last night. He was drawing defenders and buying them time and they just didn't do anything with it.

 

[CBJx614]

 

[koteka]

Filthy move in the shootout to win the game

 

[stevo61]

Hes still figuring out what does and does not work at the NHL level but I firmly believe this kid is going to be a stud.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Still don't know if his best position is at C. But he's looking better there as time goes on. Encouraging player, and one of the only bright spots for the CBJ this year

 

[BB88]

Still don't know if his best position is at C. But he's looking better there as time goes on. Encouraging player, and one of the only bright spots for the CBJ this year

Johnson, Marchenko& Jiricek for Columbus organization.

 

[CBJx614]

Still don't know if his best position is at C. But he's looking better there as time goes on. Encouraging player, and one of the only bright spots for the CBJ this year

He's definitely going to have some growing pains after playing wing at Michigan and for Canada the last few years, but I don't think he's looked out of place at center at all. His IQ and playmaking abilities should let him thrive if he can keep up physically.

Johnson, Marchenko& Jiricek for Columbus organization.

I think Chinakov should be on the list as well, he was struggling point wise early on but when he was healthy he looked very good and constantly on the cusp of scoring.