Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman have been fixtures in the Edmonton Oilers’ top six for most of the McDavid era. But as they enter their mid-30s, they’ll need to hand over the keys to a new generation sooner or later.

Edmonton’s succession plan has already been set in motion, with Vasily Podkolzin and Matt Savoie working their way into the top six last season. Both were former top 10 picks in other organizations, and both are on track to be impactful Oilers for a long time.

Considering the success they’ve had, it may be wise for Edmonton to continue buying low on young players to help extend their Cup window. One guy they should have their eye on is Kent Johnson.

The Columbus Blue Jackets drafted Johnson fifth overall in 2021, coming off his impressive season with the University of Michigan, where he produced over a point per game. In his first NHL season, Johnson lived up to the hype. The BC native notched 16 goals and 40 points as a rookie, placing fifth in Calder Trophy voting. Since then, however, his development hasn’t progressed as the Blue Jackets had hoped.

In his sophomore campaign, Johnson only managed 16 points in 42 games. But he bounced back in a big way in year three, hitting the 20-goal mark for the first time and a career high of 56 points. At age 22, he had become a legit top-six forward. Or so it appeared.

Johnson’s 2025-26 season got off to a nightmare start. He produced just five points in his first 25 games and finished the month of November a minus-12. Less than two months later, the Blue Jackets fired head coach Dean Evason and replaced him with Rick Bowness. Johnson had a good........

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