I’ve talked about Red Wings prospect defenseman Anton Johansson several times this week–and not just because he’s posted 2 goals and 1 assist over the course of 3 World Junior Summer Showcase games. The 6’4,” 196-pound defenseman has been something of a revelation as a 19-year-old who provides steady defense and a surprisingly solid offensive toolkit.
As such, The Athletic’s Max Bultman posted a feature article on Johansson this morning:
“He’s been terrific,” [Axel] Sandin Pellikka said. “As soon as he has the puck in the O-zone, he’s a threat, and he’s good (on) the point and having some good point shots. I really like his game.”
His coach, [Hugo] Havelid, was a bit more reserved, as coaches tend to be, already looking forward to what Johansson can gain from playing more in the SHL this coming season. But he acknowledged the big right-shot defender has “a lot of potential, offensively (and) defensively.”
“He’s an interesting player in many different ways,” Havelid said. “I think he’s (had) a good tournament so far. (It will) probably be good for him to come home and play in the SHL, be more steady, that’s for those players, game-by-game, three games a week with tough men’s hockey, that will help him.”
The offensive part of Johansson’s game seems to come rather naturally to him, with good instincts and skating for his size driving the way. But it’s the defensive side where he’ll need to continue to show he can be counted on, both for the sake of his world junior aspirations and on his trajectory as a Red Wings prospect. He showed moments of being able to use his size in a corner to win a battle and spring a zone exit, and Johansson said Wednesday he “(felt) great defensively this week.”
Continued (paywall)
