Marcus Johansson was a revelation for the Minnesota Wild last season. The 35-year-old, slick-skating Swede recorded 49 points (15 goals, 34 assists) in 75 games — the second-most points of his career — and added four goals in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The Minnesota Wild apparently wanted Johansson to come back, but ultimately, the former Washington Capitals‘ first-round draft pick went with his gut and signed with Färjestad BK of the SHL — the Swedish team he started his career with.
Johansson previously played parts of three seasons with Färjestad BK (2007-2010) as a teenager (17-19) before leaving for the NHL with the Capitals.
“To play in front of Färjestads fans again, it’s something you don’t forget,” Johansson said in a brief interview with sports director Rickard Wallin and translated by Google Translate. “I remember from many years since I went over that there is always a good pressure in Löfbergs Arena. I’ve watched a lot of the end games on TV and I’m looking forward to hearing the pressure in there again. When things really [heat up] in Löfbergs, it’s always fun.”
“We’ll dust off the number 90 shirt again,” Wallin observed.
“Yes, it’ll be fun,” replied Johansson. “Yes, it’ll be fun to look forward to.”
In an interview with Swedish outlet Värmlands Folkblad, Johansson said the deal was for two seasons, which would make him 37 when it concludes. Färjestad BK, in a release on their website, does not mention the term of the deal, saying only that Johansson “is ready for the 2026-27 season.”
Johansson’s return to Sweden comes after he became the 412th player — and the 20th Swede ever — to play in 1,000 career NHL games. He also made Sweden’s Olympic team that finished seventh at Milan-Cortina, Italy.
He also follows in the footsteps of his close friend and former Capitals teammate, Nicklas Backstrom, who returned to former Swedish team, Brynäs IF, last season to end his career where it started.
If Johansson’s time in the NHL is over — which it appears it may be — he ends his NHL career with 200 goals, 366 assists, and 566 points. Johansson played 1,058 NHL games combined with the Capitals, Wild, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, and Seattle Kraken. Johansson also assisted on 58 Alex Ovechkin goals during his time in DC.
