Top 2021 NHL draft picks Owen Power and Kent Johnson ink entry-level contracts

Owen Power and Kent Johnson won’t be returning to the University of Michigan next year.

According to Kevin Weekes, Power and Johnson have inked three-year, entry-level contracts with their respective clubs, the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets, on Friday. It’s expected that Matty Beniers will sign with the Seattle Kraken while Luke Hughes likely won’t be joining the New Jersey Devils until after Michigan’s 2022-23 season.

The contracts both start for the 2021-22 season, so Power and Johnson will turn pro now and immediately join Buffalo and Columbus. Power is expected to suit up for the Sabres on Tuesday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Power was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft by the Sabres. In his sophomore season with Michigan, the 6-foot-6 defenseman scored three goals and 32 points over the course of 33 games. He also had five points in two games for Canada at the World Juniors before the tournament was cancelled and he represented Canada at the Beijing Olympics in February.

Johnson was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 draft by the Blue Jackets. He scored eight goals and 37 points in 32 games for Michigan in his sophomore season and, like Power, represented Canada in both the World Juniors and the Olympics. Johnson impressed in Beijing, scoring five points in four games.

The Wolverines boasted one of the most star-studded teams in NCAA hockey history this season, with the No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 overall picks from the 2021 draft class on their roster. Michigan wound up losing in the Frozen Four semi-final to the University of Denver.

Power and Johnson’s contracts will not be slide eligible, so signing them now burns the first of the three years of their deals. Both players will become restricted free agents after the 2023-24 season.