Columbus Blue Jackets Loan Top Prospect to AHL

The Columbus Blue Jackets have loaned top prospect Kent Johnson to the AHL.

The reason why Johnson is heading to the Cleveland Monsters is because Elvis Merzlikins is sidelined with an illness and the Blue Jackets needed another goalie because of it. Thus, Jet Greaves has been called up to the NHL squad, while Johnson is on his way to Cleveland.

It is unlikely that Johnson will remain in the minors once Merzlikins is available again. The 19-year-old is one of the Blue Jackets' best prospects and will be given chances at the NHL level this season. In nine games last year with Columbus, he had three assists and a plus-2 rating.