One down, two to go.
The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Kent Johnson to a three-year contract worth $5.4 million Saturday, leaving Cole Sillinger and Kirill Marchenko as the final two who remain unsigned.
The contract comes with an average annual value (and cap hit) of $1.8 million.
“Kent Johnson is an exciting young player with tremendous upside," said President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell. "We are happy that he will continue to grow and develop as a Blue Jacket."
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported that the first year of the deal is worth $1.6 million, with the second and third years worth $1.8 and $2.0 million, respectively.
#CBJ Kent Johnson contract:
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 27, 2024
2024-25: $1.6 million
2025-26: $1.8 million
2026-27: $2.0 million
Johnson, 21, had just six goals and ten assists in 42 games last season, but received limited playing time both in games and minutes under previous head coach Pascal Vincent. He was injured and underwent surgery for a torn labrum in March, but is expected to be ready to go in time for the 2024-25 season.
In his rookie campaign in 2022-23, Johnson played in 79 games and had 16 goals and 24 assists. Five of the goals came on the power play.
Johnson was the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
“He is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can be as a player, and we believe he will be a very important part of our hockey club moving forward," said Waddell.
Johnson's signing leaves Sillinger and Marchenko as the only two players still without a contract going into the 2024-25 season, with Marchenko's potential arbitration hearing set for July 31st. Sillinger is not eligible for arbitration.
The Blue Jackets have never went to arbitration with a player.
