Albert Johansson, still getting robbed with Detroit Red Wings

Just sitting here, listening to some music way after my bedtime writing another piece of something.

Fittingly for the topic of this discussion, I think it’s pretty appropriate. The song is rather cheesy (but what can I say, I follow in my mom’s footsteps and love cheese). Yet, it rings as true as ever six years after its release. 

“This is Me (The Reimagined Remix)” by Keala Settle, Kesha, and Missy Elliott.

The whole song is great, in my opinion. Particularly, Missy Elliott slays (like always):

"You can put your mind to do whatever you wanna do
Just tell yourself that you’re capable to
But don’t do things that ain’t even cool
And get rid of them no good friends that’s enabling you
Making you feel like you won’t be nothing…
You gon’ be something
You’re glorious
We’re no gangs but warriors…
They can’t stop you or block you or mock you
They mad ‘cause you bad and they not you
You fall down but get up and skip and hop through
Kick down doors for others to walk through…

I never fit the mold...
I’m just trying to reach up to the sky, see that moon
I got confidence ‘cause I’m the flyest in the room
And I’ve been knocked down, but I always get up…

I ain’t chasing all the fame
‘Cause I got what I can and I’m just tryna make a change
I’m just doing me, I’m in my own lane
I fell down a few times but I’m up again…
I’m not weak, I get on my feet
No apologies
Yeah, this is me."

This is Me, Missy Elliott

Kesha and Keala chime in with the following after the final verse from Missy Elliott:

“And I know that I deserve your love” and “There’s nothing I’m not worthy of.”

A powerful message, I think, that’s applicable to a young defenseman who is, in my opinion, still being robbed of his role and time with the Detroit Red Wings. 

Despite numerous attempts to keep Albert Johansson out of the lineup—no matter how head coach Derek Lalonde wants to spin the narrative, it seems like Johansson is destined to play for the Detroit Red Wings.

After training camp, Lalonde mentioned he had at least eight National Hockey League (NHL) defensemen to choose from. I would think it’s a coach’s dream. There will be difficult conversations and players may not be happy with the lack of consistent playing time, but those details aside, having depth at a premium position in the NHL is rare. Something other teams drool over. 

Yes, I understand it’s not the star-studded roster, but these players are still good enough to perform well in the NHL, especially in a rotational role. Instead, Olli Määttä, one of my personal favorites, headed out to the Utah Hockey Club. 

It seemed like, finally, Johansson might see consistent, regular ice time. However, that’s too much to have asked for as his coach would rather Johansson sit in the pressbox than have an opportunity to grow and develop. 

Detroit Red Wings may not like it, but Albert Johansson is one of the best answers on defense

Instead of setting a good example for young players, there’s now an expectation that no matter the boneheaded plays or undisciplined penalties a veteran makes, they aren’t worthy of benching. They’re not worthy of being dropped in the lineup or into a lesser role. The output that they have is okay.

Hardly anyone in media availabilities questions the lack of accountability for veterans. It’s astonishing to me. 

Meanwhile, Johansson might miss an assignment, take a detour on his route, or flat-out make a mistake, and he suffers the immediate and brutal punishment of the coach (or coaching staff—whomever the heck is running this ship, as I don’t know who it is at this point).

In my years of watching Johansson, I haven’t had to question his determination, inner drive, or if he wants to be here. He’s always putting everything into the game that he has. Maybe the effectiveness isn’t always there, but that’s the case with anyone in any profession. We all have our good and bad days. Most importantly, Johansson learns from his opportunities. 

When he sits in the press box, he could stew and continue to be upset at his circumstances. Knowing how competitive Johansson is, this might be the case, but it seems to be what drives him forward, too. He pushes with everything he has to get a win with his team. 

Even with coming in and out of the lineup, playing his off-hand, and various defensive partners, he has performed well. My eye test says some nights are better than others. To the people who want numbers, Johansson has a Corsi For Percentage (CF%) of 47.52%, which might not be appealing at first glance. 

When reviewed in context with the rest of the defensemen, Johansson ranks third. Of course, CF% is only part of the analytics. For those plus/minus truthers still roaming the Earth, Johansson sits at -3. Not a sexy number, but he’s beat out three other defenders (Ben Chiarot has earned his -10, Petry sits with a -7, and Gustafsson is a -5…for anyone wondering, Justin Holl is a +3, weird). 

I hear the Johansson detractors. He’s had the easiest deployment of all the defensemen on the Detroit Red Wings (in short, he starts regularly in the offensive zone as opposed to the neutral or defensive zone). To those individuals, I say a person can only play the hand they’re dealt. Johansson hasn’t blown anyone else out of the water, but he’s earned his seat at the table. He’s earned more minutes than the ones bestowed on him. Maybe with more minutes and in more difficult situations, Johansson wouldn’t do well as you say. Then again, how would you know? Johansson isn’t some player that you have seen before in that role. He’s not someone who can be placed in a box with a label on it.

As cheesy as it sounds, he’s his own person who has every right to play the minutes he has more than earned. I’m not asking for 20 minutes of ice time a night. All I’m asking for is a consistent five games in a row where he gets 10+ minutes of ice time a night. It’s not too much to ask for, given the shambles of a defensive core that is trotted out every night. If Johansson plays consistently well in his “lesser” role, slowly start increasing the time—similar to the Simon Edvinsson introduction. Why is that too much to ask for?

It’s sad and frustrating that it takes a trade and an injury for Johansson to see more than a handful of games every other week or so.

If a veteran player feels personally attacked when a teammate steals part of their role/minutes, then why is he even on the team? That’s not a player concerned about his team or winning. He’s selfish, immature, and/or lacks confidence in himself. It’s a person who needs to get his ego out of the way or find a different place to call home.

When I think of the selfless kinds of players, I immediately think of Marco Kasper. From any interview I’ve watched of his, he’s always talking about his team. It’s never about him. Similarly, Ammo (Amadeus) Lombardi was interviewed by Bob Kaser, the voice of the Grand Rapids Griffins, and whenever Kaser fawns over Ammo (rightfully so, Ammo has been a filthy animal this season on the ice, just so, so, so good) Ammo continuously brings up his team. That his successes are a product of his team, not only his efforts. 

It’s wild to hear these young players with such confidence in themselves, knowing it’s not about them, it never was. It’s just about their team. Kasper and Ammo play the same way whether they’re on the top, bottom, or the middle of the lineup. These veterans, meant to be leaders on the team, could learn a lot from their words and actions.

As could the coaches with the Detroit Red Wings. Coaches aren’t in the business of making friends with their players but winning hockey games. If that means an NHL veteran plays a lesser role or sits because he isn’t effective, then why not do it? If it means having a set rotation where the bottom three to four defensemen play every third or fourth game, then do it until someone absolutely steals his spot. 

We do it with the Jonatan Berggrens and Albert Johanssons of the world. Maybe, instead of worrying about hurting feelings or stepping on toes, the Detroit Red Wings should simply ice their best lineup tenure be darned. 

At this point, what do they have to lose?

Johansson might or might not make it, but why not let him be the deciding factor? Let it not be a result of an apprehensive coach who wanted to sink with veterans instead of jumping on a possible life raft.