Marcus Johansson will play for the Wild against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, BSN, BSWIX, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Johansson, who was acquired from the Washington Capitals for a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Tuesday, will play left wing on the second line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy. He takes the spot of forward Marcus Foligno, who is day to day with a lower body injury, and said the transition is easier because he played 36 games for Minnesota in 2020-21.
"It makes everything a lot easier just coming here knowing most of the guys and also the systems a little bit so hopefully that transition won't be too hard," Johansson said. "It's not as hard coming to a place where you know one or two guys. I feel like I know a more than half the team, so it makes everything a lot easier for sure."
Johansson has 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 60 games this season and has 435 points (157 goals, 278 assists) in 813 regular-season games for the Capitals, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Wild and Seattle Kraken.
The 32-year-old forward signed a one-year contract with the Capitals on July 13, 2022, and can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. He was surprised to be traded, but knew it was possible.
"A little bit of both," Johansson said. "I didn't really see it coming but things weren't going well for the team either so there was a chance things were going to happen. But I felt like I've had a good year and found myself a little bit again and being healthy and all that. But you never know in this business and it's a good sign that the teams want you so have to look at it that way."-- Kevin Woodley