Albert Johansson’s Bounceback

There was no beating around the bush - Albert Johansson was having a brutal sophomore campaign. After an encouraging finish to last season that coincided with the arrival of Todd McLellan, many were hoping to see Johansson take the next step. Unfortunately that was not the case, at least not in the first half of this season. Through 37 games, the Wings had a -15 5v5 goal differential with him on the ice, the 3rd worst 5v5 goal differential for any player on any team in that time frame. Furthermore, Johansson had the 7th worst average Game Score of any NHL regular season(≥ 20 games played) at Christmas.

Data via HockeyStatCards

This was despite the fact that Johansson was receiving relatively favorable usage with the easiest level of competition and a low rate shifts starting in the defensive zone. Johansson’s struggles were thankfully masked by a superhuman performance from Moritz Seider and the Wings’ elite forwards, but it represented a potential “fatal flaw” in the Wings’ defensive depth as the season progressed. Thankfully for the Red Wings, Johansson has found his game of late.

I’m not sure what ultimately did the trick, but over the last 15 games, Albert Johansson has finally found his game.

Since Christmas (14 games), Albert Johansson leads the Red Wings’ defensive group in:

• Average Game Score (0.89)

• 5v5 xGF% (51.14%)

• 5v5 expected goals against per 60 (2.39)

• 5v5 On-Ice Goals Against (1)

Yes, you read that last one right. In 200 minutes at 5v5 with Albert Johansson on the ice since Christmas, the Wings have given up just one 5v5 goal. That’s a far cry from where the Wings were with Albert Johansson on the ice in the first half of the season. Interestingly enough, this rebound has not come in the face of easier competition/deployment. In fact, his measured quality of competition has more than doubled (QoC Off of 0.73 vs 0.29) and his 5v5 defensive zone start% is largely unchanged (11.48% from 11.16%). He’s also not spending more time playing behind Detroit’s elite forwards.

Graphically speaking, it does appear like Wings are doing a better job of keeping the opposition away from the outer slot with Johansson on the ice at 5v5 after Christmas compared to before. Again, I don’t think this is clearly explained by changes in his deployment, level of competition, or quality of teammates he’s playing with. I think the best conclusion we’re left with is Johansson has simply stepped up his game.

Visually, I think this is the best answer. He appears to be more confident with the puck as evidenced by his confidence with the puck. He doesn’t appear to be as “jittery” and is showcasing more patience as evidenced by some of the moves he’s flashed in the offensive zone.

Head Coach Todd McLellan seems to think that’s the case as well. When asked about Albert’s play of late at morning skate a couple days ago, McLellan was effusive in his praise for Johansson’s game of late.

Ultimately, Johansson finding his game will go a long way towards taking the pressure off of Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson as well as lessening Ben Chiarot’s minutes in close games. I don’t think his re-emergence is quite enough to say that the Wings don’t need to add to the blue line before the trade deadline, but perhaps it lessens the urgency (pending Edvinsson’s injury status).