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Surprise MN Wild Entrant in Play for Olympics
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- Surprise MN Wild Entrant in Play for Olympics
Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The National Hockey League will take a break this winter for the Olympics . Milan is set to host the festivities from February 6 through the 22nd, and hockey will again be on the global stage. Of course John Hynes is hoping his Minnesota Wild team returns healthy and intact , but multiple players are expected to compete for their home countris.
Official team announcements will take place later this week, but the Swedish roster should have plenty of MN Wild talent on it. Joel Eriksson Ek , Jonas Brodin , and recently extended netminder Filip Gustvasson seem like good bets.
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Marcus Johansson would not have been among those considered coming into the year, but he's certainly made a case for inclusion.
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Marcus Johansson another Wild Olympian consideration
When it comes to Swedes, the Minnesota Wild are flush with them. Rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt has been among the best at his position this season , and has even gained Calder Cup steam . Marcus Johnasson is a 35-year-old afterthought veteran, but he's having arguably the best season of his career .
make that FIVE pic.twitter.com/Wqh1eGJTqV
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 30, 2025
In just 38 games, he has 12 goals and has been worth a plus-21 while playing on just an $800,000 contract . His 2016-17 career-best 24-goal effort is in reach, and he posted a plus-25 that year as well. The Athletic's Michael Russo isn't certain he won't get to contend for a medal this winter.
In his 16th season, the 35-year-old is playing arguably the best hockey of his career on a bargain $800,000 deal. In Monday night's 5-2 drubbing of the banged-up Vegas Golden Knights, Johansson scored a goal and had three assists for his second four-point performance of his career. His only other one came against the Wild as a member of the Washington Capitals in March 2017.
Johansson has now scored 12 goals in 38 games — one more than he scored in each of his last two seasons — and is on an 82-game pace for a career-high 26 goals. He also has 32 points — two fewer than he had in 72 games last season — and is on an 82-game pace to shatter his career high of 69.
Johansson performed masterfully in helping Sweden win bronze medals in the past two World Championships, and a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The Wild have plenty of participants heading overseas during the downtime. Rather than sit on the sidelines, Johansson told Russo he'd love to be there for the action as well. "I would love to. Hopefully I've shown enough. We'll see. It's an honor to play for your country. Like I said, I've tried to (do) what I can to earn a spot. We'll see."
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Teammates with the Wild, and Johansson's coach John Hynes, have all advocated for him to be considered given his play this season. Regardless of his age, or the fact he could have been considered an afterthought, it would probably behoove Sweden to take another look.
Minnesota is still the third-best team in the NHL, and the wily veteran is a key reason for why they are there. Marcus Johansson and the Minnesota Wild are back in action on Wednesday afternoon against the San Jose Sharks .
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