It wasn't that long ago that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson appeared on the outs with the club.
Former head coach Derek Lalonde scratched Johansson for 17 of his 34 games with the club while Lalonde held the reins. Now, under Todd McLellan, Johansson has come into his own as a key fixture of the bottom pairing. On paper, his numbers might not leap off the page; he has two goals, seven assists and nine points in 68 games. But what makes Albert Johansson stand out from the crowd isn't his point totals, nor his average time on ice (16:18/game).
It's his consistent reliability that makes him a threat.
Albert Johansson's quiet efficiency
First, it's important to set expectations: Johansson is a third pairing defenseman. Expecting Moritz Seider-caliber play from him will only lead to disappointment. That said, however, he's proven to be quite an effective third-pairing defender this season. Whether he's setting up key goals or scooping the puck up on a defensive play, he's a strong, steady threat on the backend.
Showtime with the pass. ALJO with the finish. pic.twitter.com/vR8q8uws2r
January 13, 2026When it comes to building contenders, every piece needs to work properly. Your depth is just as important as your star players. Take the Toronto Maple Leafs, for example. Their old core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares had all the pieces in place for star power. Their lack of depth, however, led to their doom. Without those key contributors down the lineup, they were doomed for defeat before they even set foot on the ice.
Red Wings need "surprises" like Johansson
When head coach Todd McLellan took the reins as head coach, he wasn't sure what he had to work with. "The biggest surprise for me to date is Albert [Johansson]," the coach said a post-game press conference. "I knew nothing about Albert. I think his rise has been remarkable, really. There's some fierceness in his game. When he gets engaged with bodies and battles, he wins a lot of them. He's not the biggest guy. We talk about him in the locker room all the time. We're so happy we have him. Biggest surprise in my mind."
At this point in the season, the Red Wings need all the "surprises" they can get from their depth. Johansson putting it together is a key component to the team's success moving forward. But they'll also need the depth to step into bigger shoes with the injuries to Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp.
What separates good teams from solid teams is depth and consistency. With the new acquisition of Justin Faulk, the Red Wings have three legitimate defensive pairings they can throw at opposing teams' offenses. Johansson leads the charge on the third pairing. If the 25-year-old can find a consistent defensive partner, they'll be set for years to come.