It appears the New Jersey Devils, the Eastern Conference’s third worst team, are preparing to trade Marcus Johansson.
Johansson was a healthy scratch during the New Jersey Devils’ 4-0 shutout win over the Ottawa Senators, Thursday night.
Defenseman Ben Lovejoy joined Johansson in the press box as well. The Devils tweeted that both players were out due to “precautionary” reasons, pointing towards a likely trade.
#NJDevils news:
F Marcus Johansson and D Ben Lovejoy (both precautionary) will not play tonight.
F Brett Seney and D Steven Santini will draw into the lineup.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 21, 2019
According to Abbey Mastracco of The Record Sports, Devils GM Ray Shero and head coach John Hynes told prospects Steven Santini and Brett Seney, the day of the game, to be ready to play.
John Hynes said he and Ray Shero sat down this afternoon and made a decision to scratch Marcus Johansson and Ben Lovejoy. Coaching staff had warned Steven Santini and Brett Seney after the morning skate to be ready in case they were needed. They were.
— Abbey Mastracco (@AbbeyMastracco) February 22, 2019
The scratching comes two days after a report that the Capitals may have checked in on the availability of Johansson. The Swedish forward is in high demand and teams rumored to be looking to deal for him include Columbus, Edmonton, San Jose, and Vancouver.
Johansson practiced on Friday while the team prepares for their next game Saturday afternoon against the Rangers in New York. If Johansson and Lovejoy aren’t traded by then, it is expected the two will be scratched again.
➡️ After being held out last night by #NJDevils, Marcus Johansson and Ben Lovejoy are on the ice with the rest of the team for practice. pic.twitter.com/fIlpNEy5Jq
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) February 22, 2019
Johnasson has had an injury-filled tenure in New Jersey since being traded by the Capitals in 2017. Marcus has only played in 77 of a potential 143 regular season games.
Headline photo: Bruce Bennett
