Defenseman Anton Johansson making early impact for Red Wings

DETROIT — When coach Todd McLellan was driving home with others from the Red Wings’ front office last spring after a Grand Rapids Griffins playoff game, they were bringing up names of Griffins players who could possibly help the Wings.

One player was talked about in the car more than others.

And sure enough, defenseman Anton Johansson is making a similar impact with the Wings, as he did in a brief cameo with the Griffins.

Johansson, 22, a 2022 fourth-round (105th overall) draft pick, is solidifying his spot in the lineup, and roster, by the day and game.

It sounds, too, like the seeds were sown during that drop-in McLellan did last spring.

"When I went to Grand Rapids and watched some games at the end of the year, he had an impact there," McLellan said. "His physicality, his aggressiveness, the way he shot the puck from the blue line. Driving home, we were talking about him. We were anxious to see what he could do in training camp.

"It’s just grown from there."

Johansson was noticeable during the Wings’ three-game prospects camp, before the start of training camp. He then stepped up that noticeability during the preseason and exhibition games, looking comfortable against NHL players and making key plays at both ends of the rink.

More: Wallinder, Johansson making strong cases to stick with Red Wings

At 6-foot-4, 203 pounds, Johansson has a lanky body who gets up and down the ice and also covers a lot of area. He plays with a bit of an edge, isn’t at all bashful of getting into scrums, and has the knack of getting his shot through and to the net.

Aside from the actual on-ice attributes, Johansson has an infectious personality that is quickly becoming a staple around the locker room. He is constantly smiling and joking around with teammates and equipment staff, enjoying each and every day in his current situation.

"When he’s out there, he loves being out there, smiling, he brings an energy," McLellan said. "That energy kind of rubs off on other people."

Interestingly, the absence of defenseman Simon Edvinsson might have helped Johansson early on.

Edvinsson, a restricted free agent, is embroiled in a contract dispute that doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon with the Wings. Edvinsson not being signed left one spot available on defense. An injury to Jacob Bernard-Docker (who since has activated), and one open, available spot beyond those two, enabled Johansson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka and William Wallinder all to make the opening-night roster.

But, who knows? Johansson had minor-league options available and could have been sent to Grand Rapids without being exposed to waivers. But with Edvinsson not available, Johansson had plenty of opportunity to show he plays a similar game.

"If Simon’s here and he’s signed, Anton maybe doesn’t have quite the opportunity," McLellan said. "Maybe he wouldn’t have the camp that he had. But for somebody’s misfortune, there’s an opportunity and he took advantage of it."

Larkin’s impact

Dylan Larkin‘s return to the lineup Tuesday, Oct. 6, getting a goal and assist, and standing up for a teammate instigating a period ending melee, showed how valuable Larkin is to the Wings’ lineup.

Larkin asked for a trade in June, and all indications are he hasn’t taken it back. But the way Larkin played against Ottawa shows why the Wings are adamant about getting full value is there were a trade for a player who has scored 30 or more goals five consecutive seasons.

"I don’t think any of us internally here doubted or didn’t think any differently, he is a number one center that are hard to find around the league and he means a lot to our team when he is playing," McLellan said. "You can see it."

With Larkin playing, it allows McLellan to use players in roles where those players have a better chance to be successful in the Wings’ lineup.

"We talked about the slotting and putting people into the right minute frame, playing against the right matchups, and he helps in all of those areas. As well as his skill, power play, penalty killing, and all those things."

Ice chips

With goaltender John Gibson starting Friday, Daniil Tarasov will make his Wings’ and season debut Saturday, October 10 in Montreal.

...Viktor Arvidsson has goals in each of the last two games but hasn’t done anything differently since his arrival in Detroit.

"I just try to play my game, compete, win pucks and battles, and go to the net," Arvidsson said. "I got rewarded twice, so I just have to keep doing it."

… McLellan on the physical nature of the game against Ottawa.

"I’m glad the players can police themselves," McLellan said. "It’s a contact game. Guys get angry at each other. You’re going to see it, emotions are high. That was an emotional game for a lot of different reasons, so that happens."

Red Wings at Canadiens

▶ Faceoff: 7 p.m. Saturday, Bell Centre, Montreal

▶ TV/radio: DSN/97.1 FM

▶ Outlook: The Wings hit the road for the first time this regular season…Montreal (1-2-1) is off to a slow start, and coming off a disappointing 5-2 loss against Nashville…G Jakub Dobes (1-1-1, 4.43 GAA, .856 SVS) has struggled to start the season.

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

@tkulfan

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Defenseman Anton Johansson making early impact for Red Wings

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