Marcus Johansson’s Strengths Have Been An Asset In Second Time Around With Wild

Welcome to the offseason series where we will look at each player’s impact this past season, what their future in Minnesota looks like and what to expect in 2023-24.

From the first shift to the first game to the first week in a Minnesota Wild sweater, you just knew that the Marcus Johansson experience would be different this time around.

Johansson looked like a different player on the ice in his return to Minnesota with his speed and playmaking ability on full display from the beginning. His skating and hockey intelligence instantly made those around him better and opened up opportunities offensively. The 2024 third-round pick the Wild sent to the Washington Capitals to acquire him in late February was already in the rearview mirror.

He didn’t resemble the player who the Wild acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in the one-for-one trade that sent Eric Staal packing on Sept. 16, 2020.

At the time, GM Bill Guerin said Johansson fit well on the team and would have a large opportunity. But the trade didn’t work out as planned as Johansson finished with just six goals and 14 points in 36 games during the regular season. And he broke his arm three games into the playoffs, which ended his season with no playoff production to show for, either.

That’s why it didn’t make sense to try this again when there were plenty of other options available at the trade deadline. But Guerin knew all along that the skill and flash had always been there in Johansson – who previously showed it throughout his career – even though the veteran winger had an underwhelming first stint.

“I like the playmaking ability (of Johansson),” Guerin said in 2020 at the time. “I love him on the power play. I remember him very well from his days in Washington when I was in Pittsburgh. I always admired his skill set.”

And give him credit because not only did it work out, but this version of Johansson has fit well and exceeded expectations with plenty of opportunity. The 32-year-old has played as advertised so far in his second stint in Minnesota, showing off his offensive skill set while not being a liability defensively.

Johansson finished with six goals and 18 points in 20 games, which is about a 25-goal, 74-point pace over a full 82-game season. Despite playing just 20 games, he was worth 1.1 wins above replacement – the fifth highest on the team. The Wild outscored the opposition 25-15 with him on the ice, and Johansson controlled 57.10% of the on-ice expected goal share in all situations.

The icing on the cake is Johansson didn't shy away from showing off his scoring touch.

Johansson’s impact has also been evident through his chemistry with Matt Boldy, which helped the 22-year-old find another level with 15 goals and 23 points over the 20-game span after his arrival. (Although it should also be noted that Kirill Kaprizov suffered an injury on March 8). The trio of Johansson, Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek found success together, controlling 57.2% of the on-ice expected goal share in just over 166 minutes together, while outscoring the opposition 14-4.

Though Johansson didn’t exactly have the playoff performance you would have hoped, he did find twine twice, which included a highlight reel goal in game three.

The organization rewarded Johansson for his play by re-signing him for two years at an annual price tag of $2 million – another inexpensive and affordable contract on the books. Minnesota now has him locked up to be a key piece in their top six the next two seasons, the final two years of the Ryan Suter-Zach Parise buyouts.

The Wild will need his speed and skill again next season, especially in their current financial landscape that is likely to lead to quite a few departures this summer. Johansson has already changed the perception around him in Minnesota, but he has an opportunity to leave an impression over the next two years.

If this 20-game sample size this spring is a prelude to next season, the Wild have another bargain on their hands.

Aaron’s Johansson prediction – 22 goals and 43 assists for 65 points

Dylan’s Johansson prediction – 17 goals and 40 assists for 57 points

All Data Via Evolving-Hockey, Natural Stat Trick, Hockey-Reference, MoneyPuck and CapFriendly