Major trade between the Canadiens and Columbus involving a future star player? A home run by Kent Hughes is possible with Kent Johnson

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MarcO
February 26, 2024 (8:41)

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We've seen it, Kent Hughes is good at finding bargains. He knows very well how to recognize a player who is underutilized in his current team and could explode in a new one. He has done it, among others, with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.

We all know he wants to do it again this season and we think we have found the perfect target. He is located in Columbus and his name is Kent Johnson.

The Jackets' 1st round pick (5th overall) from the 2021 draft had an excellent first full season in the NHL. He accumulated 16 goals, 24 assists for a total of 40 points in 79 games during the 2022-2023 season. Therefore, expectations for the current season were very high.

However, things did not go as hoped. Although he has a decent tally of 16 points, including 6 goals, in 37 games this season, the 21-year-old American does not seem to be in the good graces of his head coach, Pascal Vincent.

The latter does not seem satisfied with his player's efforts, who was even demoted to the American League earlier this season. However, he was recalled to the major club after accumulating 15 points in 10 games with the Cleveland Monsters.

Things have not been going well for some time. He went from an average playing time of 15 minutes to a total of 6:57 in the game on February 17th against the San Jose Sharks. This is ridiculous for a young player.

This was enough to reignite speculation and rumors about him.

The recent troubles of the organization, which just fired its GM Jarmo Kekalainen, could therefore benefit Kent Hughes. The CH desperately needs a player like Johnson, who has incredible raw talent. It remains to be seen if the organization's next hockey boss views Johnson as a solution or not.