The highest-scoring under-25 defenseman in the SHL is already drawing NHL interest early into the 2025-26 campaign. According to a new report from Rasmus Kågstrom in Sweden, blueliner Pontus Johansson is generating NHL interest from multiple NHL clubs, per his agent, Martin Nilsson.
Despite indicating that multiple NHL teams had already reached out regarding Johansson’s future availability, Nilsson wouldn’t offer any specific names. Still, there’s no questioning he’s off to a tremendous start, scoring four goals and 12 points through his first 15 games for Skellefteå AIK.
However, it’s important to contextualize Johansson’s sudden breakout. If he continues his scoring pace and doesn’t miss a game this season, he’ll finish with 14 goals and 42 points in 52 games, which would nearly double his career output across five years already. He has already surpassed his performance from last year, when he scored three goals and accumulated 11 points in 51 games.
Given that his career-high before this season barely topped double digits, and he’s only two years removed from being demoted to the HockeyAllsvenskan during his time with Frölunda HC, there should be some skepticism from NHL front offices on the legitimacy of Johansson’s current breakout.
Nonetheless, every team could benefit from a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman on its blue line. This means the same NHL teams that are currently interested will likely follow Johansson throughout the entire 2025-26 season. Should he maintain his output throughout the rest of the season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a club sign him relatively quickly at the conclusion of the SHL season.