You can never have too many defensemen.
This is what Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman says to himself as he falls asleep every night (probably). A little healthy competition never hurts anyone, and there is competition for ice time on the Red Wings' blueline.
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Things don’t seem to be budging at the NHL level, but the AHL scene is getting a bit crowded.
Yesterday, the Red Wings announced the signing of prospect Anton Johansson to a three-year entry-level contract. The 6-foot-4 and 196 lb defender has spent this past year in the SHL.
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The contract includes performance bonuses and signing bonuses for each of the three years.
The fourth-round pick in the 2022 entry draft has had a solid two years in Sweden. Johansson played full-time SHL last season and is doing so again this season.
He played 46 games for Leksands IF this year, recording 10 points, 98 shots, and 50 penalty minutes. Johansson averaged 16:38 of ice time per game.
This represents a big step forward for the defender. In 46 games last season, he only recorded eight points, 59 shots, 16 penalty minutes, and 13:32 ice time per game.
The right-handed defender will report to the Red Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, on an amateur tryout. The ice in North America is smaller than in the SHL. This is a bigger deal for defenders than it is for forwards.
Defenders must react quicker and be more aggressive on the smaller ice surface. The AHL is a great place for a young Swede to acclimate to making faster decisions.
It remains to be seen whether or not Johansson has an NHL future ahead of him - but at the very least, he’s one step closer.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Was it wise to sign Johansson at this point?
How long will it take Johansson to make it to the NHL? Please answer the question by voting in our poll!
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