On Wednesday, restricted free agent Marcus Johansson and the Washington Capitals went to arbitration. Johansson asked for $4.75 million while the Caps offered $3 million. Two days later, an arbitrator has finally announced his decision. The Caps winger, who set career highs in goals, shots on goal, and points last season, has been awarded a one-year, $3.75 million contract for next season.
In 2014-15, Johansson firmly established himself as a top-6 capable forward. From our season review:
385 forwards played 410 or more minutes in the 2014-15 season. The science isn’t exact, but a player finishing in or above the top 50 percentile in major categories, (192nd or better), could roughly be considered a top six forward. Here’s where Johansson’s season ranked in some major categories.
- Points: 47 (77th percentile)
- Goals: 20 (78th percentile)
- Assists: 27 (79th percentile)
- Points/60: 2.12 (71st percentile)
- Shot Attempt Percentage: 53.2 (74th percentile)
You get the point. Johansson’s production and possession is at a top-six level, and it’s not even really close.
Next season, Johansson’s role may be somewhat reduced after general manager Brian MacLellan landed both Justin Williams and TJ Oshie over the summer. Regardless, Mojo is an important depth player who is an excellent skater and evolving finisher. Don’t listen to your friends who say any different.
As we wait on Marcus Johansson's contract, get your bingo cards ready for those outraged by the dollar amount. pic.twitter.com/11FIg45viY
— pfholden.bsky.social (@pfholden) July 30, 2015
ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Marcus Johansson to a one-year, $3.75 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Johansson, 24, registered 47 points (20 goals, 27 assists) in 82 games with the Capitals last season and set career highs in goals, points, shots (138) and games played. The 6’1”, 207-pound forward scored his career-high 15th goal of the season in his 64th game of 2014-15 on March 1 against Toronto, passing his previous career high of 14, set in 2011-12 (80 games). Johansson scored two goals on Jan. 7 at Toronto, marking his fifth career multi-goal game and his second of the season (Nov. 11 vs. CBJ). He finished the season ranked third on the team in goals, fourth in points and tied for fifth in assists. Johansson has recorded 186 points (61 goals, 125 assists) in 345 regular-season games with the Capitals. He was drafted by Washington in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2009 NHL Draft and ranks fifth among players drafted in 2009 in points (186) and assists (125).
Johansson has earned 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 44 career playoff games with Washington. He earned two assists against the Islanders on April 23 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, marking his first career multi-assist playoff game and second career multi-point playoff game (4/20/11: 2g).
The Landskrona, Sweden, native has represented Sweden in the Olympics once (2014) and the World Junior Championship twice (2009, 2010), winning a medal at each tournament. Johansson won a silver medal with Sweden at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, won a bronze medal and served as captain for Sweden at the 2010 World Junior Championship and captured a silver medal with Sweden at the 2009 World Junior Championship.
