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Red Wings in Review: Johansson Steady on the Third Pairing
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- Red Wings in Review: Johansson Steady on the Third Pairing
The post Red Wings in Review: Johansson Steady on the Third Pairing appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now .
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 19: Detroit Red Wings D Albert Johansson (20) in action in the second period during the game between Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings on October 19, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire)
Albert Johansson
Age: 25, turns 26 next January
Contract Status: Signed through the 2027-28 season on an ELC, will become an RFA.
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Last season's contributions: 3 goals and 8 assists, playing a full 82 games in his sophomore season; took 61 shots this year and had a couple of highlight reel goals
Grade: B
Past
Albert Johansson is one of the longest-tenured players organization at this point, though this is only his second season wearing a Red Wings uniform. Drafted in the second round in 2019, Johansson worked his way up to Detroit through the SHL and the Grand Rapids Griffins. Last year, Johansson finally made the main roster and played 65 games for the Red Wings, rotating in and out of the lineup on the third pairing with players who have since moved on.
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In his rookie season, Johansson certainly showed some growing pains, though his ability as a shot blocker and occasional knack for poke checking the opposing team's best player and making a move up ice made him an entertaining watch at times. For his efforts, Johansson had 3 goals, 6 assists and 30 minutes in the penalty box.
At 6'0 and under 200lbs, Johansson often showed a little more bark than bite last year, but he showed enough promise to earn a two year, 2.25 million dollar extension.
Present
Johansson solidified his presence on the Red Wings third pairing this year, with 61 blocked shots and improving slightly on his point totals. While Detroit's defense struggled at times, Johansson kept things moving along with a rotating cast beside him as the team tried to figure out early in the season whether they would be using Jacob Bernard-Docker or Travis Hamonic with him.
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The now 25-year-old swede also seems to have matured, cutting his time in the sin bin in half even with more games played this year, and while the -18 number on his +/- looks rough (and was rough at times), his 23 takeaways helped to generate some offense on the back end.
Johansson only totaled out two more assists this year than he did last, but his growth as a responsible puck mover and defenseman was more important than any offensive metrics he could have got by sacrificing those areas.
Future
The Red Wings' stable of third pairing caliber defenseman is beginning to look a little overcrowded. With Johansson only signed through the end of next season and players knocking on the door like William Wallinder , who will lose waiver eligibility next year and Anton Johansson from his time in Sweden.
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Detroit re-signed Bernard-Docker through 2028 during this last season as well, showing that the organization has faith in the former Sabres defenesman's ability to play up in the lineup. Johansson did rotate up into the top and second pairings a couple of times this season, but he mostly stayed as the 5th or 6th defenseman on the roster.
Johansson should be on the roster next year, steadying the back half of the Detroit defense. He'll have to fend off a few contenders at the position, but as the incumbent and with the steady improvements he's made throughout the years, he'll be making things very hard on the Red Wings' brass as they try to figure out whether or not to re-sign him and keep him on the main roster.
Barring a surprise showing from one of the Red Wings defenseman prospects, Johansson could be looking at a pay raise after next year.
Current contract: $1,125,000/ year through 26
The post Red Wings in Review: Johansson Steady on the Third Pairing appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now .
