Young defenseman steps up, proving his value in Detroit’s lineup.
Albert Johansson is quietly making a name for himself as a rookie defenseman with the Detroit Red Wings, proving he belongs in the NHL.
Through 34 games this season, Johansson has averaged 15:48 of ice time, but that number has jumped to 18:34 since Dec. 27. The 24-year-old has earned the trust of the coaching staff, stepping up to help fill the void left by Jeff Petry’s absence due to injury.
I just try to take advantage of that opportunity every day, It obviously helps to play with Simon [Edvinsson]. We’ve played before in Grand Rapids, so we know each other on the ice. I think that helps. When you play more minutes, you’re in the game more and your confidence is getting higher and higher. You start to feel more comfortable out there.” : Johansson said.
New head coach Todd McLellan has been particularly impressed, calling Johansson his “biggest surprise” since taking over the Red Wings on Jan. 23.
“I knew nothing about Albert, We get here and he’s kind of parked on the shelf, and everybody’s playing and we’re trying to figure players out. I think his rise has been remarkable, really, unless I underestimated him too, and that’s on me. He’s played steady in all three zones. There’s some fierceness in his game. When he gets engaged with bodies and battles, he wins a lot of them.” : McLellan said.
At 6 feet and 185 pounds, Johansson isn’t the biggest defenseman, but his smooth skating and strong puck-moving ability make him a valuable asset. Being paired with his close friend Simon Edvinsson has only helped him feel more confident and comfortable in the NHL. As the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off break arrives, Johansson is looking forward to a brief reset before Detroit returns to action on Feb. 22.
“It’s nice to get a couple days off to try to relax your body and brain, You can do something other than just think about hockey. You can reset your mind, come back and be well-rested to focus on the rest of the season. We’re in a good spot. A bunch of road games coming up, but I think we’re feeling good about playing on the road after our last road trip.” : said Johansson, who has also chipped in five points (one goal, four assists) for Detroit this season.
