Larsson_Coyotes

Johan Larsson was traded to the Washington Capitals by the Arizona Coyotes on Monday.

The Coyotes received a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft for the forward.

Larsson is in the final year of a two-year contract he signed with the Coyotes on Oct. 10, 2020 and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The 29-year-old hasn't played since Jan. 25 because of a lower-body injury. He's scored 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 29 games this season.

"He's been skating, I think today was his first scheduled day of team practice," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. "I would anticipate right around a week of team practice before he could play. That could vary a little earlier or a little later. We'll see how he does here when he gets in.

"We've always liked Larsson, even when he was in Buffalo. He was a real good defensive player, he's versatile, he can play center, he can play wing, kills penalties, very responsible player, good 5-on-5 guy. I think there's multiple uses for him also, and adding center depth if injuries occur is important for us too."

Selected by the Minnesota Wild in the second round (No. 56) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Larsson has scored 126 points (52 goals, 74 assists) in 474 regular-season games for the Wild, Buffalo Sabres and Coyotes.

"Johan is a great person and a true professional," Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said. "We appreciate his contributions to our club and wish him all the best in the future."

Forward Marcus Johansson was traded to Washington by the Seattle Kraken on Monday for forward Daniel Sprong, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The Capitals (35-19-10) hold the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, one point behind the Boston Bruins for the first wild card.