The Montreal Canadiens’ quest for a dynamic second-line forward continues to make headlines, with recent reports suggesting Columbus Blue Jackets’ Kent Johnson as a prime target.
Esteemed NHL analyst Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic has put forth a compelling argument, highlighting Johnson’s potential as a superior fit compared to other rumored targets, such as Trevor Zegras.
Duhatschek points to Johnson’s impressive pedigree, having achieved a 40-point season in 2022-23 at the young age of 20, despite the Blue Jackets’ overall struggles. This feat, coupled with Johnson’s youthful promise, indicates a potentially higher ceiling than other options on the Canadiens’ radar.
However, acquiring a player of Johnson’s caliber would not come without a significant cost. It’s anticipated that the Blue Jackets would demand one of Montreal’s prized defensive prospects in return, likely Lane Hutson or David Reinbacher. This trade scenario presents a classic dilemma for Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes: sacrifice a future defensive stalwart for an immediate offensive upgrade?
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