Ice Chips: Blue Jackets F Johnson expected to make NHL debut

Keep updated on all the injury news and roster updates from around the NHL with daily Ice Chips.

Forward Kent Johnson and defenceman Nick Blankenburg are expected to make their NHL debuts on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, according to team reporter Jeff Svoboda.

So Blankenburg is in for #CBJ, Johnson will be if the work visa gets settled, which Larsen said he expects to happen. Christiansen and Carlsson out of the lineup for those two. Elvis Merzlikins in net vs. Montreal.

Johnson, 19, was drafted fifth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Draft.

The Port Moody, B.C., native played this season with the University of Michigan where he tallied eight goals and 37 points in 32 games.

The 6-foot-1 forward is still working out visa issues but they are expected to be resolved by game time, according to head coach Brad Larsen.

Blankenburg, 23, also played this season with season with the University of Michigan, where he served as captain.

The Washington, Mich., native had 14 goals and 29 points in 38 games this season.

Additionally, Elvis Merzlikins will start in net against the Canadiens on Tuesday, according to Svoboda.

Merzlikins, 28, has a 24-19-6 record with a .904 save percentage and 3.40 goals-against average this season.

The Red Wing assigned forward Taro Hirose to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today assigned forward Taro Hirose to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com/3XMqk8jrce

Hirose, 25, has one goal and four points in 12 games with the Red Wings this season.