NHL Buzz: Johnson expected to make NHL debut with Blue Jackets

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Kent Johnson, the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, and University of Michigan teammate Nick Blankenburg will make their NHL debuts when the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; BSOH, SN, RDS, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Johnson, a forward, will play on a line with center Justin Danforth and right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand.
"Really excited. That's about it," Johnson said. " It's a dream come true. You just want to get the systems in your head before the game and then once the puck drops, just try not to think out there."
Johnson, 19, was tied for fourth on the team with 37 points (eight goals, 29 assists) in 32 games.
"I don't have any expectations right now as far as what it's going to look like," Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. "My advice to him is just go be you and we'll go from there."
Johnson and Blankenburg, an undrafted defenseman, each signed Friday, one day after Michigan lost in the NCAA Frozen Four.
Blankenburg, 23, scored 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) in 38 games this season.
"I'll just really try to enjoy the moment and take it all in," Blankenburg said. -- Craig Merz

Philadelphia Flyers

Cam Atkinson and Carter Hart will not be available for the Flyers against the New York Rangers (7 p.m. ET; TNT, NHL LIVE).
Atkinson, a forward, and Hart, a goalie, each left a 9-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday because of a lower-body injury. Atkinson left late in the first period, and Hart was replaced by Martin Jones to start the second period.
Goalie Felix Sandstrom, forward Tanner Laczynski and defenseman Egor Zamula were recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League under emergency conditions Wednesday and each will be in the lineup.
Atkinson has scored 50 points (23 goals, 27 assists) in 73 games this season. Hart is 13-24-7 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in 45 games (44 starts).

Minnesota Wild

Jordan Greenway is not expected to play in the next two games for the Wild because of an upper-body injury.
The forward was injured in the first period of a 5-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.
"Obviously it's quick turnaround flying out tomorrow," Wild coach Dean Evason said. "He'll likely stay home and get treatments and will heal and rest him right up. Anytime you don't finish a game, you're not going to get on a plane and then go. Maybe he could but, there's no rush to get him in there. We want to make sure that he's healed right up. So we'll make sure of that."
The Wild play at the Dallas Stars on Thursday and at the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
Forward Nicolas Deslauriers could return after missing two games with a lower-body injury.
"He'll come with us," Evason said. "We think he should be able to slide back in but we're not quite finished talking about it but we probably have to get a guy to go on the road two games."-- Jessi Pierce