OK, I was posting some stuff on Twitter earlier (shameless plug: @cmasisak22), but now that my story for the paper is done, here’s a more detailed look at Marcus Johansson.
* He says he’s a two-way center, and GM George McPhee said he is solid in nearly every aspect of his game. He had 10 points in 45 games in the Swedish Elite League this year, but remember that Anton Gustafsson was yet to play full-time in the SEL. His team also won the league title, so playing time wasn’t easily had.
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* McPhee said there are a lot of similarities between Johansson and Gustafsson. Johanssson said he has tried to pattern parts of his game after Nicklas Backstrom.
* He has two years left on his deal in Farjestad, but McPhee wasn’t worried about that. Both McPhee and Johansson said they expect him to play in the SEL next year before making a decision on coming to North America.
* McPhee said the Ducks wanted “either one of the goaltenders (Varlamov or Neuvirth), Carlson, a player out of our lineup and something else” for Pronger.
* McPhee on the talks with Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli: “I think [Chiarelli] just wanted a little face time.” He was kidding — the Caps discussed moving back a pick or two but decided against it.
That’s it for now — watch for more twitter updates and blog updates tomorrow. Don’t discount the Caps still trying to make a move for an NHL player during tomorrow’s proceedings.
