MLive’s Ansar Khan posted a profile of Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson today. Johansson will make his NHL debut this upcoming season:
“I think he’s shown some things that we had hoped and expected from him and that’s being a puck-mover,” [Red Wings coach Derek] Lalonde said. “That’s him being an intelligent player around the ice. The physicality part of it he needs to keep growing. You can see he’s got himself in some trouble by losing some battles where he’s giving up 40-50 pounds, 2-3 inches, so I think that comes with a little more experience, a little more detail in his game, defend through hands, defend quick.”
Johansson said his defensive game and physical play grew in the AHL.
“I think the most important is just to play a simple game,” Johansson said. “They want to see me as a great defender and moving pucks and set up my teammates. My skating and my first pass is my strongest side of the game. My two years in Grand Rapids helped me a lot with my physical game. That (AHL playoffs) helped a lot. It’s a little bit different game, more physical when it gets to playoffs, but I think I handled that pretty good last year.”
