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Detroit Red Wings

Johansson Steady In NHL Debut; Holl Effective

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Albert Johansson/Simon Edvinsson

Albert Johansson made his NHL debut on the Detroit Red Wings defense Saturday night and teammate Andrew Copp barely noticed he was on the ice.



“As a forward, it’s good when you don’t notice a D,” Copp said. “It’s probably a good thing. So he was good back there for sure.”

The 23-year-old Swedish defenseman, a left shot, logged 11:57 on 18 shifts in a 3-0 win against the Nashville Predators. He was part of a defensive effectiveness  Saturday that the Red Wings are trying to achieve on a regular basis this season. He had two hits and one blocked shot. Goalie Cam Talbot boasted 42 saves and Detroit blocked 31 shots.

Johansson got his chance because  coach Darek Lalonde scratched Erik Gustafsson. Ben Chiarot had most of Gustafsson’s power play minutes.

“Solid. Made some really simple, nice plays with the puck,” Copp said of Johansson who comes to the NHL with 119 games of AHL experience. He logged 141 games in the Swedish Hockey League.

Justin Holl was also recalled from Grand Rapids in time to replace Jeff Petry, sidelined by injury. The Red Wings expect Petry to return Monday in the road game against the New York Rangers.

Will Johansson play Monday?

The Red Wings likely will have to return Holl to the AHL, although he performed well in the shutout. Moritz led the team with seven blocked shots. However, was Holl was tied for second with four. Holl played more than 18 minutes in the game, including 3:35 in shorthanded situations.

“Really good defender,” Lalonde said of Holl. “We need some simple defense, and that’s what he is. He’s a simple defender. He wins battles, he’s big, he’s hard to play against.” 

Johansson adds a safe defender to the mix. It helps his desirability that he is comfortable playing the right side. Seider, Petry and Holl are the only right-shot D men on the team. It will be interesting to see how much Lalonde uses Johansson. He is not revealed his Monday starting lineup.