Hockey Night in Canada's Elliotte Friedman reported the other night that there are teams around the league who are calling the Capitals about the availability of Marcus Johansson.
“Some names to keep an eye out. Gridlock in the NHL when it comes to trades. Marcus Johansson. Washington. Word is some teams have inquired about him. The Capitals want to see apparently if Andre Burakovsky can reach an elite level as a top-six forward before considering that move.…
As like everything, it's all speculation and rumors, but it also makes sense from the Caps standpoint if they feel they can shed a little salary and perhaps beef up their defense or even add on to their already deep offense.
Johansson has 15 pts (5g, 10a) in 27 games playing mostly on the second line with Justin Williams. Evgeny Kutnetsov and Nicklas Backstrom have been the centers most of the time on that line.
If the Caps want to trade for a possible upgrade on the wing or bring in a better "Trotz-type" grinder for the 3rd or 4th lines, then they'd better be pretty damn sure that Burakovsky can handle the load that Johansson has taken to nicely so far in the last two years.
Johansson has been utilized very well on the power play and gives the Capitals an unassuming threat downlow, however the emergence of budding-superstar Kutnetsov is an easy upgrade. Even Andre Burakovsky, who's skating is a lot like his Swedish counterpart, could eventually take up the role of second-line winger if he's really given the chance to show what can do without the restraints of the third or fourth line.
The Capitals, though, are on a roll, and why mess with a good thing. Come February, I'm sure the Caps will be listening to any offers to up their chances at a legit shot for the Cup, but for now I doubt anyone is going anywhere.
The only real reason to try and market Johansson now is that he's on a one-year deal that he signed in the summer. At $3.75, he takes up little room, but if the Caps can get a more impactful player for that price, then anything is possible.
More to come...