More Woes For Blue Jackets, as Kent Johnson's Injury "Won't Be A Short-Term One"

Third-year forward Kent Johnson was off to a tremendous start to the season, the best of his short NHL career, with five points in the first four games, and playing a career-high 16:46 per night. That makes his injury prognosis even harder to take, as head coach Dean Evason says Johnson won't be back anytime soon.

#CBJ coach Dean Evason won’t provide a timeline on injured Kent Johnson, but would say this: “It’s not short term.”
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 19, 2024

Although he wouldn't provide an exact timeline, Evason says "It’s not short term.”

Johnson went down hard on his upper-body in the second period of Thursday night's 6-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres. He left the game after a collision with teammate James van Riemsdyk.

Doesn’t look good for KJ as he immediately goes down the tunnel after the collision. pic.twitter.com/ozYNzUZxsD
— The CBJ Center (@CBJcenter) October 18, 2024

Johnson left the ice shaking his head and headed immediately down the tunnel.

The 22-year-old was selected by Columbus with the 5th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, and in his first full season in 2022–23 he recorded 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games. He took a step back last year, due to injury and a dip in performance, with just six goals and 16 points in 42 games.

Johnson is just starting a new three-year deal at a $1.8 million AAV, signed this past summer as a restricted free agent.

It's another tough blow for the Blue Jackets, who are also without the likes of captain Boone Jenner, Erik Gudbranson, and Dmitri Voronkov. Jenner could miss the entire season, while Gudbranson could be facing surgery, and he, too, was injured after a collision with a teammate, the night before Johnson went down.