Detroit Red Wings sign Albert Johansson to one-year contract

The Detroit Red Wings have signed defensive prospect Albert Johansson to a one-year, two-way contract for 2024-25.

The 23-year-old spent all of 2023-24 in the AHL, registering six goals and 21 points with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He also had three assists in nine playoff games while helping the club reach the Central Division Final. Johnasson has spent the past two years with the Griffins, scoring five goals and 15 points as a rookie in 2022-23.

Drafted 60th overall by the Red Wings in 2019, Johansson spent parts of four yers with Farjestad BK in the SHL. He had 57 points in 141 games while also helping the Swedish club win the league title in 2022.

Internationally, Johansson has experience with both the junior program and the men’s team. He won silver at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup before taking home gold at the U-18 World Championship later that season. Johansson had three assists at the 2021 World Juniors, the same year in which he played five Euro Hockey Tour games with the men’s team.

Johansson’s signing gives the team extra depth they could call up if needed, although time might be ticking on him becoming an impactful NHLer. The team has Jared McIsaac also needing a new contract as an RFA, while Wyatt Newpower is set to become a UFA at 26 years old.

More importantly, though, the Red Wings will need to sign 23-year-old standout Mortiz Seider to a long-term contract. Shayne Gostisbehere could potentially leave the team via free agency, while Patrick Kane and David Perron are among the team’s top UFAs up front. Lucas Raymond and Joseph Veleno are among the notable RFAs seeking new deals.

According to CapFriendly, the Red Wings have $29.367 million in cap space. After missing out on the playoffs again this year, the team is looking to take a step forward in 2024-25 under the rule of GM Steve Yzerman.

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