The Wild released Johnson from his professional tryout agreement Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson signed the deal in August, but was unable to stick with the Wild. He had six assists in 41 regular-season contests in 2024-25 with the Blue Jackets and at the age of 38, his NHL career could be over.

Johnson signed a professional tryout agreement with Minnesota on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson earned six assists, 23 shots on goal, 35 blocked shots and 21 hits across 41 regular-season games with Columbus in 2024-25. With Jonas Brodin (upper body) likely to miss the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, the 38-year-old Johnson could land a spot on Minnesota's Opening Night roster if young defenders Zeev Buium or David Jiricek (abdomen) require additional development time in the minors.

Johnson logged an assist and went minus-2 in Thursday's 7-3 loss to the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was in the lineup over Damon Severson and Jake Christiansen for this contest after being a healthy scratch for the previous four games. The helper ended Johnson's four-game skid, which occurred during March after another lengthy run in the press box. There's no telling if he'll stick in the lineup the rest of the way, and he's unlikely to help most fantasy managers even if he does. Johnson has six helpers, 22 shots on net, 33 blocked shots, 18 hits and a minus-10 rating across 39 appearances this season.

Johnson suited up for Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Rangers, logging two hits in 9:46 of ice time.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson drew into the lineup due to the absence of Jake Christiansen (upper body). The 38-year-old Johnson had been scratched for the previous nine games and 12 of the last 15 contests, as Denton Mateychuk has taken a more permanent spot in the lineup. Johnson's run of playing time could be short -- Christiansen hasn't been ruled anything worse than day-to-day, and Erik Gudbranson (shoulder) is also expected to make his first appearance since Oct. 15 within the next week. For the season, Johnson has five assists, 19 shots on net, a minus-7 rating, 15 hits and 29 blocked shots over 35 appearances.

Johnson registered an assist in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson suited up for the third game in a row as the Blue Jackets continue to toy with using seven defensemen. His playing time has been sporadic when the team goes with six blueliners, as he's battling with Jordan Harris for one spot in the lineup in those instances. Johnson is up to five helpers, 18 shots on net, 28 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating through 34 appearances this season, a level of production that won't be useful for most fantasy managers.

Johnson provided two assists and two blocked shots in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson has played in the last three games, partially aided by the Blue Jackets' return to using seven defensemen. This was his first multi-point effort in nearly a year -- his last came Feb. 18, 2024 versus the Coyotes. The 38-year-old blueliner doubled his point total for this season with Thursday's effort. He's now at four assists, 16 shots on net, 25 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating over 30 appearances. When he plays, he fills a third-pairing role.

Johnson (illness) has been cleared but will serve as a healthy scratch Saturday against St. Louis, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson missed Columbus' last game with an illness. While he's healthy Saturday, the veteran blueliner will ultimately miss a second straight contest as a scratch. Johnson has a goal and seven points in 42 games this season.

Johnson (illness) will miss Thursday's tilt against Seattle, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson has not been an offensive force this season, as the veteran defenseman has only two assists in 27 games. He could return as early as Saturday in St. Louis. Damon Severson will return to the lineup in place of Johnson on the third pairing, alongside Jake Christiansen.

Johnson logged an assist in Friday's 6-2 win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson has played in seven of the last eight games. The 37-year-old's helper was his first point since Oct. 26 versus the Predators. He has an easier path to staying in the lineup as long as the Blue Jackets keep rolling with seven defensemen, which has worked well for them in recent contests. Overall, Johnson has two helpers, 13 shots on net, 11 hits, 16 blocked shots and a minus-7 rating through 22 outings, so he's not a particularly strong option for fantasy managers.

Johnson (eye) is expected to be available for Thursday's game against the Devils, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson took a stick to the face Sunday against the Hurricanes and sat out Tuesday against the Lightning, but he should be able to return following a one-game absence. Over 18 appearances this year, he's logged an assist, 12 blocked shots, nine hits and a minus-4 rating while averaging 13:32 of ice time. Dante Fabbro (lower body) is questionable for Thursday's matchup, but Jordan Harris will likely be pushed out of the lineup if Fabbro is also able to suit up against the Devils.