Columbus Blue Jackets Put Former Top-5 Pick on Trade Block

The Columbus Blue Jackets have put former top-5 pick Kent Johnson on the trade block, as reported by NHL insider Frank Seravalli.

What happened?

The 23-year-old Johnson has played five seasons with the Blue Jackets but has yet to carve out a role for himself.

He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021 as the team's presumed No. 1 center of the future.

Why it matters for Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnson has been beat out on the depth chart by Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, and Charlie Coyle, making him expendable.

The Blue Jackets currently stand 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 40-30 record, on a L2 streak.

What comes next?

If the Blue Jackets were to part with Johnson, they likely wouldn’t get back anything close to what they have invested in him.

A third- or fourth-round pick might be the going rate for a player of his caliber right now.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs, or Washington Capitals could take a flier on trying to resurrect his career.

Johnson's best season came in 2024 when he tallied 24 goals and 57 points.

He is still young enough to be a valuable asset for a team looking to beef up its center depth.

The Blue Jackets passed on several other talented forwards like William Eklund, Wyatt Johnston, and Mackie Samoskevich to take Johnson in the 2021 draft.

Now, the team is looking to move on from him and potentially get something in return.

The trade block is a familiar place for the Blue Jackets, who have also made Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski and 70-point forward Kirill Marchenko available via trade.

As the NHL trade market continues to evolve, the Columbus Blue Jackets are making moves to shape their roster for the future.