Scouting report: Johansson got his first taste of playing professional hockey during the 2017-18 season, moving up from junior leagues to play 23 games with Leksands IF in Sweden's second-tier Allsvenskan league midway through the year. That experience of playing against men will serve to the defenseman's advantage moving forward as a member of the Wild system.
The defenseman spent the majority of 2017-18 with Leksand in the Swedish Junior League, totaling nine points (4-5=9) and 12 penalty minutes (PIM) in 29 games. The native of Vasteras, Sweden, also added one goal and four PIM with Leksands IF, and seven points (3-4=7) and eight PIM in six games with Leksand's Under-18 program.
The blueliner helped Sweden claim bronze medals at the 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, totaling two points (1-1=2) and two PIM in seven games, and the 2018 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, posting four points (1-3=4) and four PIM in five games.
Johansson totaled eight points (4-4=8) and 24 PIM in 34 games with Leksand's Junior club in 2016-17, adding 12 points (3-9=12) and 26 PIM in 12 games with Leksand's Under-18 team. He also captured a gold medal with Sweden at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
A good skater with above average acceleration, Johansson is a smart and disciplined defensive player. Noted to show poise and patience with the puck, he could easily turn into a top-four defenseman and contribute on the power play with more time to develop. Johansson compared his style of play to Edmonton's Adam Larsson, while other scouts and analysts likened him to the Sharks' Justin Braun.
An area he needs to improve is with his weight, with scouts noting he needs to bulk up to be more effective, particularly in the corners and in front of the net.
Brent Flahr, Wild Senior VP of Hockey Operations:"Johansson is a smart d-man with very good mobility. He moves the puck very well in transition and plays the game with a lot of poise."
