Top 20 Detroit Red Wings Prospects To Watch In 2019-20
By Tyler Kotila
Albert Johansson, Färjestad BK, 29 points in 2018-19
The Detroit Red Wings closed out their second-round selections in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft when they selected the eighteen-year-old defenseman, Albert Johansson. He is a defenseman, left-handed shooting defender from Sweden. With a strong track record remaining for Swedish talents translating into Red Wings stars, Johansson is another player to add to the watch list in that category.
He stands 6-foot, 168 pounds patrolling the blue line with high IQ and hockey sense. In 2018-19, Johansson played his hockey for Färjestad BK of the SHL netting five goals and twenty-four assists totaling twenty-nine points through forty games for the Detroit Red Wings.
The defender is known for his ability to move the puck, setting up plays in high-pressure situations, maintaining poise with the puck. Lacking strength on his stick or durability, in general, is something that could be considered harmful to his development.
The positives of Johansson’s abilities are most clearly seen in the defensive zone where his skills excel the most. Johansson is a plus-skater who is not afraid to throw the puck on net and create scoring opportunities in front of the net. After looking into Johansson after the Red Wings selected him back in June, his ability to stay poised under pressure compliments his offensive talents very well.
Johansson is not a prized prospect like a Bowen Byram or Cale Makar, but Johansson can be transformed into a real future talent for the Red Wings. If he can work on his strength, and offensive abilities, he could come over to North America as a solid talent within the organization. Questions always come when players have to make the transfer over to North America, but Johansson will be staying put for the time being. Johansson will play his 2019-20 season with Färjestad BK of the SHL, staying put.
Early Expectation: Johansson will be an offensively gifted defensive talent for the Detroit Red Wings if he matures as hoped. If Johansson can become stronger, develop his defensive skills as well as the continued development of his shooting will be great.
In terms of future value, it’s a bit premature to say that he could be a top-four defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings. However, if Johansson develops as mentioned above and makes a stable transfer over to North America, he could be a top-four defenseman in the future for the Red Wings.