The Washington Capitals selected Lucas Johansen with their first-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. Six years later, the late-blooming 24-year-old prospect may challenge for a roster spot at the team’s upcoming training camp.
But first, for LuJo to do that, a contract needed to be signed, and on Friday, the Capitals announced that they inked the left-handed shooting defenseman to a two-year, $1.525 deal. The first year of the contract is two-way ($750,000/$125,000) while it becomes one-way in 2023-24 ($775k).
Johansen was set to be a restricted free agent before coming to terms.
Retaining Johansen was important for a Capitals team that has a lot of uncertainty on its backend heading into the 2022-23 season. Justin Schultz (right) is a pending unrestricted free agent on Wednesday along with Matt Irwin (left) and Michal Kempny (left; not expected to return).
If Schultz ends up leaving, Trevor van Riemsdyk will likely slide over to his spot on the second pairing opening up a spot in the top six for a lefty either internally or on the free-agent market. Alexander Alexeyev, who is ahead of LuJo on the depth cart, underwent shoulder surgery over the summer and will miss the beginning of the season.
Johansen made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season, notching his first point against the Detroit Red Wings on December 31, 2021. He was the last player from the 2016 NHL Draft to play in an NHL game.
Lucas is the younger brother of Predators’ star, Ryan Johansen.
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Re-sign Lucas Johansen
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Lucas Johansen to a two-year, $1.525 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. The first year of Johansen ‘s contract will be a two-way contract ($750,000/$125,000), while the second year will be a one-way contract ($775,000).
Johansen, 24, made his NHL debut and recorded his first career point on Dec. 31, 2021 against the Detroit Red Wings.
The 6’2”, 176-pound defenseman recorded 28 points (8g, 20a) in 62 games with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2021-22 season, establishing AHL career highs in goals, points and plus/minus (20). Johansen finished the season ranked first among Hershey defensemen in plus/minus and second in goals, assists and points. In addition, Johansen’s 62 games played marked his highest total since the 2017-18 season (74). Johansen appeared in all three of Hershey’s playoff games, recording one assist. In 195 career AHL career games with Hershey, Johansen has recorded 73 points (17g, 56a).
The Capitals selected Johansen with their first-round pick, 28th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk/RMNB
