Columbus Blue Jackets send Kent Johnson to AHL, call up Yegor Chinakhov

The Columbus Blue Jackets have sent forward Kent Johnson to the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.

Additionally, forward Yegor Chinakhov has been recalled from the AHL.

Johnson has been a healthy scratch on occasion this year, scoring just one goal and three points in eight games. The Michigan University product was one of the top rookies in the NHL last year, scoring 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games, including a lacrosse-style goal against the New York Islanders in March.

Selected fifth overall in 2021, Johnson is set to become an RFA this summer after finishing his entry-level contract worth $925,000. He’s creative with the puck, but game-to-game consistency, plus a penchant for making mistakes, has been prevalent early in his career. With Cleveland, he’ll have a chance to refine his game without getting penalized for his mistakes.

Chinakhov was sent to the AHL on Oct. 25 after missing the first six games due to a back strain. The Russian-born forward had three goals and one assist in three games with the Monsters. Drafted 21st overall in 2020, Chinakhov had 13 points in 30 games last year, just one behind his 14-point effort in 62 games the year prior.

The Blue Jackets currently are fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 4-4-2 record. Columbus hasn’t won since Oct. 21 when they beat the Minnesota Wild in overtime. The Monsters, meanwhile, are third in the AHL’s North Division with a solid 5-2-0 record.