Kent Johnson and Yegor Chinakhov have a lot in common.
Both are first-round draft picks with high-end offensive assets that are expected to influence the future - and perhaps the present - of the Columbus Blue Jackets forward group.
They also came into the new season with heightened expectations, as both played fine - not great, but not bad - at the NHL level in their first go-round last season.
Now, both seem to be hitting their strides. Chinakhov has tallied 1-4-5 (G-A-PTS) in seven games, tied for second on the club with Jack Roslovic and Jakub Voracek and trailing only Johnny Gaudreau (7 points). After being held off the scoresheet in the first three games of the season, Chinakhov posted two-assist games in back-to-back games against Vancouver and Nashville. He scored his first goal of the season against New York, a vintage snipe from distance that separates him from most NHL shooters.
Sheesh, Yegor Chinakhov can really rip a puck. pic.twitter.com/J2xPyrxmdW
— NHL (@NHL) October 23, 2022
Meanwhile, Johnson has 2-2-4 in six games, making him one of just five Blue Jackets players with multiple goals. He scored his first career NHL goal in his 14th NHL game on Saturday night against Pittsburgh. Less than 24 hours later, he scored his second goal. Anecdotally speaking, he looks more confident than he did last year and even in the first few games of this season.
Kent Johnson cuts to the net and beats Jarry from the top of the crease for his first NHL goal!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/I3YiRokO21
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) October 23, 2022
Well, that was quick
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) October 23, 2022
Kent Johnson scores his second goal in two days!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/Eefb6jrjHG
It's perhaps a bit ironic that Chinakhov, who is known for his shot, and Johnson, who is known for his playmaking ability, seem to have flipped the script a bit in the early goings. Chinakhov's most important play of the season may have been his sublime set-up on Vladislav Gavrikov's overtime winner against Vancouver.
GAVRIKOV IN OVERTIME! Vladislav Gavrikov buries the lovely feed from Chinakhov to win it for the Jackets!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/0LNR8DA04Q
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) October 19, 2022
Yegor Chinakhov in 2021-22: 7 assists in 62 games
— alldaycbj (@alldaycbj) October 21, 2022
Yegor Chinakhov in 2022-23: 4 assists in 5 games
Meanwhile, while Johnson is a capable scorer, he's a dynamic stickhandler and passer first and foremost. So it's notable that perhaps his biggest plays this year have been goals. But that isn't to say that his passing hasn't also been impressive.
Kent Johnson feeds Gustav Nyquist for a QUICK response#CBJ
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) October 14, 2022
pic.twitter.com/sOczOX5kK8
Jake Bean dances a little before whipping home the wrister as the power play expires, Jackets within 1!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/h5I8uNz2nZ
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) October 21, 2022
Also notable is that the duo played the least of any Blue Jackets' forward in Sunday's 5-1 win over the New York Rangers, with Chinakhov skating 11:54 and Johnson 11:53. This season, Chinakhov has yet to surpass 14:40 TOI, while Johnson has only exceeded 12:24 once (17:21 against Pittsburgh). It wouldn't be difficult to argue that they're actually overproducing given their lack of ice time. But with their offensive skills starting to pay dividends at the NHL level, it's only a matter of time before they are given more opportunities.
The future may be in Columbus already.