|
| |
#23 Anton Johansson
 | |
Pos: D
D.O.B.: 6/10/04
From: Stockholm, SWE
Height: 6'3
Weight: 196
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2022 draft 4th rnd, 105th overall by Detroit
Acquired: Signed ATO contract with Grand Rapids (AHL) 3/19/25 |
| Personal: |
|---|
| Plus: Proactive Puck-Moving & Reach: Johansson blends high-end mobility with a massive 6-foot-4 frame. He excels at utilizing his exceptional reach to shield pucks under heavy forecheck pressure and routinely walks the blue line with poise... Heavy Shot & Power Play Potential: He possesses a lethal, heavy shot from the point and has demonstrated natural instincts as an offensive quarterback. During the 2025-26 season with Leksands IF, he notched a career-high 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games... Increasing "Snarl" & Physicality: As lauded by Red Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom, Johansson has heavily dialed up his physical edge. He goes hard into corners, wins physical board battles, and plays with an active, intimidating mean streak (accumulating 49 penalty minutes in the SHL last season)...
| | Minus: Straight-Line Skating Explosion: While he features highly functional lateral agility and smooth footwork for a big man, his straight-line separation speed and initial acceleration burst require further professional refinement... Defensive Discipline Consistency: His highly aggressive approach and physical edge can occasionally over-extend his positioning, sometimes landing him in the penalty box or pulling him out of tight structural coverage zones... |
| Organizational Comments: Red Wings Asst Dir of Player Dev - Dan Cleary "This guy's got a great personality. He's always smiling, very energetic. He's working on his game, quite a bit of contact... He's driven, a competitive kid. He's passionate" |
What GRC says: Fall 2026 With the departure of older prospects from the right side of the depth chart, Johansson is slated to step directly into a top-pairing role. Expect head coach Dan Watson to hand him maximum minutes, trusting his massive 6-foot-4 frame to shoulder the defensive load against opponents' top forward lines.
2025-26 For the second straight year, Johansson joined the Griffins for the stretch run and immediately made his presence felt. The gritty Swedish defender earned a regular spot in the lineup, showcasing his elevated compete level, sharp puck movement, and reliable physical play. Johansson took another step forward in the postseason. He became a lightning rod in nearly every scrum, played with edge and purpose, and tied for the team lead in shots on goal, reflecting his assertiveness and confidence with the puck. game blends intensity, intelligence, and physicality. Johansson defends with bite, moves the puck efficiently, and brings a disruptive presence that opponents can't ignore. His ability to raise his level in high pressure situations continues to be one of his defining traits. Johansson is expected to take on a major role on the Griffins' blue line next season. With his upward trajectory and pro ready competitiveness, he remains a dark horse candidate for NHL time, especially if injuries or roster movement create opportunities.
|
| Role: Shutdown defenseman |
| Projection: NHL Bottom pairing |
| Transactions |
|---|
| 3/13/25 | Signed 3 yr Contract with Detroit (NHL) |
| 3/19/25 | Signed ATO with Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 3/29/26 | Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) |
|
|
