The Detroit Red Wings shared that prospect Anton Johansson has been assigned to AHL Grand Rapids, coming from Leksands of the SHL.
A fourth round selection in 2022, the 6’4″ defenseman made a nice impression last spring in 11 games during his tryout with the Griffins, recording five points. Sent back to his native Sweden for 2025-26, the righty was a bright spot as a key youngster for Leksands this year, posting 17 points and 49 penalty minutes in 42 contests, a solid step forward from the year prior.
Inking his entry level contract last year, the 21-year-old is not thought to be among the team’s highest ranked farmhands in a deep pool. However, he brings size, physical edge, and enough puck moving skills to be a continued riser as a great find at 105th overall. Considering that their third pairing and overall defensive depth has been a sore spot at times, Johansson is coming in with a real path forward into becoming a Red Wings mainstay.
Joining an elite AHL team for their stretch run as he makes the full time transition to North America, Johansson will be in a favorable situation in Grand Rapids. Losing Justin Holl to St. Louis in the Justin Faulk trade, the Griffins benefit from adding a physical youngster who has plenty of professional experience from Sweden, as well as prior time spent with the team. Johansson will also get to learn under fellow countrymen in veterans Erik Gustafsson and William Lagesson.
In all likelihood, Johansson won’t debut rocking the Winged Wheel for some time, but fans will eagerly watch his continued development in Grand Rapids next season as an ascending prospect. Detroit is facing the possible disappointment of missing the postseason again, but even if such is the case, their top prospect pool offers much to be excited about, especially as it aligns with the current roster’s needs.
Add him to the list of good, not great prospects. Good job Steve.
Tell me again about all of the “great” prospects from the 4th round of the 2022 draft?
I was referencing the entire prospect pool.
If the Red Wing prospect pool was so deep at defense then they wouldn’t be signing Chiarot/Bernard-Docker to multi year contracts..
That’s a 3rd pairing on a lot of teams.
Wings had better get shots on net against Pittsburgh and hope Silovs doesn’t have a strong night. Might help to have someone at the crease. Both goalies are under .892 save percentage.
Not all goals are finessed set ups from primo locations. (Can we get Bertuzzi back or pull Holmstrom out of retirement?)
Then there is the lamentable trade of prime age Hronek in exchange for a couple of picks. He is now sitting at 47 points ( Canuck’s second highest points) on a miserable Canucks team.
Can’t understand how a rebuilding team dumps a roster solid for future prospects playing in the AHL. Unless the plan is for playoffs in some future season. By then the solid roster will have aged out.
Post game where Pens have a 0.888 save percentage goalie (Skinner).
Shots on goal:
Pittsburgh Penguins: 14-8-9 = 31
Detroit Red Wings: 6-9-8 = 23
Not sure what the offense is waiting for, maybe McClellan’s early season warning about them tapping the brakes? At this point, they are headed for the no playoffs bin. Maybe any one with puck possession in the offensive zone with a path to the net fires at the net. Someone down low might even get the idea to be in the goalie’s sight lines or try a tip. Hey, shots on goal, what a novel idea!!