The quintessential “bad analytics/good executive eye test” player, Jack Johnson found himself moving farther and farther out of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ plans in 2017-18. Johnson was so disturbed by his shrinking role that he asked for a trade mid-season, a move the club either would not or could not make. If you’re reading this blog, you probably have an opinion on Jack Johnson. Good news: We’ll be asking for that later.
Johnson, as an unrestricted free agent, is probably done as a Blue Jacket. He played 77 games as he struggled to re-create last year’s magic with defensive partner David Savard, getting healthy scratched and playing exactly zero minutes in the Jackets’ playoff series against Washington.