Breaking: Red Wings Sign Defensive Prospect to Extension

This afternoon, the Detroit Red Wings announced an extension for 23-year-old Swedish defenseman Albert Johansson, whom the team selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft.  Johansson just completed the three-year entry level deal he signed in June 2020, making him a restricted free agent before today's announcement of a one-year, two-way contract extension.  Johansson spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season in Grand Rapids, where he put up 21 points (six goals and 15 assists), a +7 rating, and 46 penalty minutes in 66 games.

At his end of season press conference, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman cited his team's young talent as a source of optimism looking toward the future.  "The organization in general, I'm somewhat pleased," he said, before specifically citing Johansson as one reason for that sense of excitement.  "I can't say it's perfect, but somewhat pleased with the development of our organization, the play of some of our younger players not only in Detroit, but in Grand Rapids...looking at some of the younger players that are in our organization that aren't in Detroit or didn't finish the season in Detroit, I think there's potential.  Most notably or specifically, simply for the fact that they'll need waivers next year we could expect or hope that Jonatan Berggren is on our team and having an impact. Albert Johansson another one, and those are two guys that need waivers next year. And my opinion today, I wouldn't expect either of them to clear waivers, so we have to make room for them, and it'll be up to them as individuals to earn that spot, whatever spot in the lineup that they can."

As a restricted free agent, there was never any serious doubt that he might sign elsewhere, but now he will officially remain in the Red Wings organization for another season.  At this point, the key question becomes whether Johansson will begin the year once more in Grand Rapids or move on to Detroit.