Since the Kings didn’t win the lottery, Owen Power isn’t coming to Los Angeles. However, adding a highly skilled player from Michigan isn’t out of the question — he’d just be at forward instead of out on the blueline.
Back in 2019, with a plethora of options up front, GM Rob Blake and Mark Yannetti opted to pass on the raw skill of a player such as Trevor Zegras, going with the more gritty and well-rounded Alex Turcotte instead. Two years later, now with a core of young leaders more or less set, it might be time to lean into one of the most creative prospects in this year’s NHL Draft.
KENT JOHNSON
Vitals
Date of Birth: October 18, 2002
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 165 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2020-21 Season
Johnson spent the entirety of his 2020-21 season playing college hockey at the University of Michigan, scoring 27 points (9 G, 18 A) in 26 games.
A Smokin’ Smoke Eater
One year prior, Johnson played in the BCHL to maintain his collegiate eligibility for the Trail Smoke Eaters. It was quite a campaign for him too, as he earned honors for First Team All-Star, Most Assists, Most Goals, Most Sportsmanlike Player, Most Valuable Player, and Top Scorer. This recognition was amassed in a campaign where he tallied 101 points (41 G, 60 A) in 52 games.
You CAN Make a Good First Impression Twice
The skilled forward was placed on an All-Rookie Team twice in the past three seasons. Once during his 2018-19 season in the BCHL and then this year in the NCAA.
Young Leader
While cultural development is a work in progress for Los Angeles’ young corps, this native of North Vancouver has found different ways to lead his various teams. He wore an ‘A’ on his jersey during his BCHL years, then as a freshman at Michigan he was second in team scoring.
View From the Corners
Our sources have continuously pointed to Johnson as one of the truly elite player’s in this year’s Draft. There are five guys who are at a level or two above everybody else and he’s in that pack at the very tip-top. He projects as a top-6 forward in the NHL, largely on the back of having high intelligence, being an instinctive line driver with eyes in the back of his head, and somebody who sets up teammates from anywhere. Although not known as a primary goal scorer, his shooting accuracy is underrated or incorrectly rated by most. His shot will need improvement, as it’s the weakest part of his game. Several noted he competes harder than he often gets credit for. The tools are there for him to develop into a balanced scorer. Again, he’ll just need to work on developing his shot more. Coming off a point-per-game freshman season, he’s one of the more offensive players among the 2021 crop of forwards.
Seidel Says
Mark Seidel of North American Central Scouting, who was a recent guest on Kings Of The Podcast, had Johnson slotted at No. 6 on his final rankings.
Answers to obvious questions: Clarke ahead of Power b/c Clarke has most offensive upside. Johnson ahead of Beniers for same reason. Edvinsson low b/c I'm not sure of ceiling. I LOVE Martino. Coronato=Keller. Stillman has a lot of Greig in him. I like Cossa more than Wallstedt.
— North American Central Scouting Independent Bureau (@MarkSeidel) April 24, 2021
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked fourth by The Draft Analyst. “Johnson may very well be the most skilled forward in the entire draft class, as he tore up the Big-10 and finished second to teammate Thomas Bordeleau in Division I freshman scoring. Although he’s gotten the most attention for his dangles, lacrosse goals, and spin-o-ramas, Johnson displays a strong effort of the puck and can do the heavy lifting during offensive-zone possessions.”
Ranked eighth by Bob McKenzie’s Draft Rankings. “University of Michigan freshman Kent Johnson, a Canadian from Port Moody, B.C., is a flashy, skilled offensive forward who scouts project as an NHL winger. He’s been known to score highlight-reel goals. One scout had him as high as No. 2 for these rankings.”
Ranked eighth by The Hockey News. “When teammate and fellow draft prospect Matty Beniers saw Johnson practice for the first time with the University of Michigan this season, the first thing he did was call his father. ‘I was like, ‘Dad, he’s just crazy skilled,’’ Beniers said. ‘I’ve never seen a guy who can do the things he can do. But he’s a lot more than just skill and flash.’ Michigan coach Mel Pearson said Johnson was the team’s most improved player this year.”
See For Yourself
Here is a shift-by-shift video of Johnson (No. 13 in blue) from earlier this year.
Final Comments
There is no question: flashiness is an element absent in the Kings organization, and Johnson has this quality in spades. He arguably is the most skilled player in the draft, and his transition from dominating the BCHL to holding his own against the NCAA demonstrates he’s more than just beating up on weaker competition.
While the position is very different, this is a similar arc Cale Makar took when drafted in 2017 – the only difference being, Colorado would not know how well the transition would occur. He was picked out of the AJHL.
Johnson answered the toughest question of ‘How well will he perform against more difficult competition?’ by generating offense and creativity while still housing a slight frame. The next question becomes ‘How much strength can he add to his body before his game gets impacted too much?’
With Los Angeles, developing strength shouldn’t be an issue. Considering most of this past season, the skilled forward played on the left side, he would quickly challenge to become one of the top players on the depth chart.
Should Johnson fall to the Kings, he would become a fantastic get. Considering he reads a lot like Zegras, a player Los Angeles liked a lot and gave heavy consideration to, adding this level of talent would place him among the handful of A-level prospects they’d have in an already deep prospect pool.
NOTE: David Hofreiter was the lead contributor in the gathering of information used in this article. You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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