Recent rumors have been that the Columbus Blue Jackets may be looking to dangle defenseman Jack Johnson. This article will explain why and why not to listen to the rumors.
First, here is a quick breakdown of his career. Johnson was drafted third overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. A couple months later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Tim Gleason and Joe Corvo. In 2012, he was moved with a first round pick of 2013 (Marko Dano) to the Blue Jackets for Jeff Carter. Two seasons later, he helps the Blue Jackets win their first two playoff wins in franchise history, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The next season, he files for bankruptcy and is still battling his parents and companies over his money to this day.
Why to Believe Them
1. He is a defenseman. The Indianapolis native has been a defenseman his whole career, and more than ever it seems teams are trying so hard to get defenseman. Some teams I have heard that are looking for defenseman, and not Johnson, include the Blackhawks, Kings, Stars, Red Wings, Penguins, Bruins, and Sharks.
2. He can produce offensively. He is an offensive defenseman, and there are teams that like those types of defenders. He has also been a top producer for the Blue Jackets back there too.
3. He can score in the playoffs. Look at the playoffs a couple seasons ago, and a big reason the Jackets pushed the Penguins to their limit was a result of the performance of Jack Johnson during the first round.
Why to Not Believe Them
1. Bankruptcy. Last year, when he filed for bankruptcy, the league was stunned to see this happen to him. Would another team be willing to deal with this issue in the room?
2. Contract. There are some analysts that say Jack Johnson is overpaid, even though I think otherwise. This contract seems whether reasonable, considering the fact the salary cap will be increasing, until there is another lockout.
3. Experience. With Fedor Tyutin also being rumored to be moved, he has the chance to become the veteran leader on the backend. He has also been an alternate captain in the past. He can help the likes of Zach Werenski, Dillon Heatherington, Ryan Collins, Ryan Murray, and Seth Jones become impact players in the NHL.
What are your thoughts on Jack Johnson? Will he be moved? If so, what would be the right price and to where? Comment below. More to come…