The Washington Capitals did not sign Johnson by August 15, 2025. He is an unrestricted free agent.

Johnson did not break out in his final NCAA season with Ohio State University posting 13 points in 38 games, similar to his 2023-24 season of 13 points in 37 games. It was his final NCAA season and the Capitals did not sign him. He signed an Amateur Tryout (ATO) with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, getting in to one game before finishing the season with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL. It appears that Johnson will be a free agent in August, unless the Capitals trade his rights beforehand.

Johnson will need a big final season in the NCAA if he hopes to get a contract with the Capitals, let alone another NHL squad if he is not signed. Injuries have plagued a lot of his developmental time in the NCAA, and although he was quite healthy last year, he was still not very noticeable. There is still hope he can make his way to the big leagues, but it just make be a long road for him to do so.

Johnson changed school in the NCAA as he will now play for Ohio State University. Hopefully, that will give him a season of full health as the defenseman clearly needs it, especially if he wants to develop in to an NHL player.

Johnson did not stay healthy for the 2022-23 season for the University of North Dakota. He has played just 13 games, but at least his points per game increased as he scored six points. Johnson sustained an injury in December and has not played since. It is unknown what the injury was but it must be serious if he has not suited up for over four months.

Johnson finished last season playing in 23 games for the University of North Dakota, registering just three points, where he plans to return to play in 2022-23. Next season should see an uptick in production and responsibility as he is healthy going in to the upcoming season.

Johnson has had injury issues this season getting in only nine games in the NCAA with the University of North Dakota. He has registered just one assist. The injury issues were off season shoulder surgery that kept him out of the beginning of the season, but thankfully he is playing now.

Johnson was selected in the third round, 80th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Johnson has been a fast riser on boards throughout the season as he has played at such a high level in the USHL this year. Arguably the best defender in the USHL of any age, Johnson shows the ability to control the play at both ends of the ice. His defensive game is solid, building off his mobile base and ability to influence the attacker into going where he angles them. Johnson closes quickly and forces mistakes or just cleanly takes the puck away. His ability to turn play around without a second thought at times is impressive because it seems effortless. Moving up ice in transition is a strength of the mobile blueliner from Texas, whether it be with his feet or his passing, although he can get caught a bit going to the homerun play sometimes resulting in an icing. In the offensive zone, Johnson is quick with his thinking and has the ability to pivot and stay mobile along the blueline or pinching down the walls. He can freelance an bit with crafty puck skills and agile feet but he isn’t necessarily the blow-your-pants-off type of defender in the offensive zone, rather opting to just make the play look as simple as possible, often making it look easy to be productive.