Toronto Maple Leafs Player Preview: Andreas Johnson
Andreas Johnson was a seventh round pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013 and he’s progressed his career nicely in Europe since then.
The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has increased point totals in each of the three seasons following his draft year.Johnson won the Swedish Hockey League last year with Frolunda HC, but regular season Johnson and playoff Johnson were two different players.
The 5’10” winger suited up for the Leafs in their first pre-season game in Halifax and looked more like SHL playoff Johnson than a budding young prospect.
Johnson is destined for the American Hockey League this year where he can get used to the transition to North America and playing in a Mike Babcock system.
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Johnson has an uphill battle as there isn’t much chance he enters the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup at any point this season given how many players are above him in the depth chart.
His focus – and the teams focus – should be to gradually introduce him to different situations as he adjusts to life in the AHL.
The 44 points in 52 games he scored last year for Frolunda isn’t a realistic expectation for the Toronto Marlies this year. A number around 0.5 points per game is more reasonable as he settles into North America.
He’s a skilled offensive talent but has a history of disappearing when the games start to count (nine points in 36 playoff games). That’s an issue that needs to be rectified or he’s going to have a hard time ever making the Leafs on a regular basis.
The good news is he has two years before his current deal expires to adjust and show upward progression in his game, and he’s also only 21 years old.
At this point, Johnson shouldn’t be expected to make an appearance in the NHL this year but a strong showing with the Marlies and a few injuries can change everything.
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