#CBJ F Kent Johnson, a restricted free agent, has signed a 3-year contract worth $5.4 million (salary cap hit $1.8M).
At the end of this contract following the 2026-27 season, Johnson will be an RFA, two years from UFA status.
Johnson, 21, was the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft hasn't lived up to the expectations set so far in his career last season he only managed I total of a 16 points, including 6 goals and 10 assists in 42 games with the Blue Jackets.
Given how his career has gone so far the $1.8 million dollar cap hit may seem a little high, but given his upside it actually might turn out to be a very reasonable deal if he can figure out how to be a consistent point producer at the NHL level, but that remains to be seen of course.
Are the Blue Jackets smart for locking down a part of their young core who hasn't lived up to the hype, only time will tell.