The Detroit Red Wings are continuing to find success, improving their record to 32-16-5 through 53 games, good for first place in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division. Contributions have come up and down the lineup, but quietly over the past few weeks has been the continued strong play of Albert Johansson.
Johansson made his NHL debut last season, skating in 61 games, recording three goals and six assists. The former second-round pick in 2019 has appeared in all 53 games this season, registering one goal and six assists. Johansson has averaged 16 minutes a night. Johansson has spent most of the season holding down the left side of the Red Wings' third defensive pairing.
With the recent injury news to Simon Edvinsson, who has missed the past two games, Johansson’s role has grown, skating in 20:11 minutes during the 4-3 overtime loss against the Minnesota Wild and then 20:17 during the 5-1 victory against the Winnipeg Jets. The loss against Minnesota was the first time Johansson had skated in over 20 minutes since Nov. 24, when the Swedish defenseman played 20:23 in a 4-3 loss against the New Jersey Devils.
Speaking to the media in Toronto, prior to the Red Wings’ 2-1 overtime victory against the Maple Leafs, head coach Todd McLellan spoke about what he has seen in the 25-year-old’s game as of late.
“I think Albert’s playing his best hockey of the season. Coming into camp we counted on him a lot,” McLellan said. “This was the time last year where his game really took off too, so maybe he settles in a little bit more in the second half.”
For the season, Johansson has a plus-minus rating of minus-six, but since the calendar flipped to 2026, the defenseman has recorded a plus-seven rating, really proving McLellan’s word to be true about the second-year player.
“His legs have been excellent, he’s been able to skate pucks out of trouble, and his legs get him to spots where he can break up plays,” McLellan said. “He’s been very good.”
Helping out another young defenseman
The strong play of Johansson has allowed the Red Wings to help shelter rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who continues to work through the challenges of a rookie season at the NHL level.
Sandin-Pellikka has seen his ice time diminish over the past few games, skating in under 15 minutes in five of the past six games. For the season, the 20-year-old is averaging 16:48, skating in all 53 games, while recording six goals and 12 assists. Sandin-Pellikka has found a home quarterbacking the second power play unit, totalling seven of the defenseman's 18 points.
As the Red Wings continue to weather the Edvinsson injury and help with the continued development of Sandin-Pellikka, Johansson’s play will be key in helping the Red Wings’ defense core stay strong as the playoff chase heats up.