Marcus Johansson returns to the Wild via a trade today with Washington. Johansson was with the Wild two season back playing 36 games and scoring 6 goals and 14 points.
He was oft injured during that season but he did have some productive games. The knock then was he was not really a viable option at center but as a wing he can be productive. Johansson is a total rental play8ng out his $1.1M expiring contract, but does provide the Wild with some upside offensive production.
In return thw Wild send to Washington a 2024 fourth round draft pick so very low price for potential upside gain.
Tonight the Wild play host to the Islanders who are coming off a 4-0 shutout of the Jets in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon. Minnesota took the first meeting in New York 3-1 but it was a struggle as they dominated that contest through much of the game. Ilya Sorokin was the story that night and he will be a challenge for the offense starved Wild again tonight.
The Islanders made a big splash right before the All-Star break when they acquired Bo Horvat from the Canucks. That move has not played out the way the Islanders has hoped initially but they are right in the thick of the Wild Card race in the East nonetheless.
It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!