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Pro Comparison
Final Thoughts
I know what you’re thinking. Another center? Stay with me.
If the Kings are picking from about the seventh overall spot, there’s a good chance that Owen Power, Luke Hughes, Simon Edvinsson, and depending on how desperate teams get, Brandt Clarke are all off the board.
The Kings could certainly trade back and grab someone like Carson Lambos to shore up their future blueline, but they might be inclined to take the best player on the board where they’re at. And that guy would be Kent Johnson.
They could also trade up to grab one of the aforementioned names, but let’s stay on track here.
The North Vancouver, B.C., native’s play jumps off the screen with skilled puck-handling, terrific vision, and a wicked backhanded shot. He could stand to put on a few pounds, but that should come as he continues to physically mature. That said, Johnson holds his own, jockeying for position in front of opposing netminders and does a lot of the dirty work in front of the goal.
Johnson’s numbers speak for themselves. He was a point-per-game player in his freshman year on a very talented Michigan squad. Of note, three of his nine goals this past season came on the powerplay.