Johnsson looks to stick with Leafs
Call-up to make his NHL debut Wednesday night against Dallas
TORONTO — The looks in their eyes were different, but both Auston Matthews and Andreas Johnsson were focused on the same thing Tuesday: getting on the ice with the Leafs.
In Matthews’ case, the look was determined. Out for six consecutive games, and over two weeks, with a shoulder injury, the team’s star centre is inching closer to a return to the lineup.
As for a timetable, its still undefined. But Matthews has practised in a noncontact, red jersey, but that also appears destined to change in the next few days.
“I’ve felt better every day,” Matthews said Tuesday after practice, where he performed over 20 minutes of hard, extra work, while his teammates were all back in the dressing room. “It’s nice to get back on the ice with the guys and take reps and be (involved), and not skating by yourself. You have to get your timing back, which is a key to returning (to the lineup).”
Johnsson’s look was easy to recognize: he had a mile-wide smile, reflecting his call-up Tuesday, and what will be his NHL debut Wednesday night when Toronto faces Dallas on home ice.
For Johnsson, the call-up was part of a double player recall from the Marlies; he was called up, based on the strength of his play this season, while defenceman Calle Rosen was also called up, on an emergency basis.
Toronto, already missing top four defenceman Nikita Zaitsev (flu), also had rookie blueliner Travis Dermott sidelined Tuesday with an illness.
For Johnsson, there was the reward for an incredible season with the Marlies so far: second in goals in the AHL, fourth in points, several player of the week honours, and an all-star selection.
He would have been called up, based on performance, long ago, but the Leafs lineup has been tough to crack. Forwards Dominic Moore, Josh Leivo, and Matt Martin — all deserving of regular ice time — have been in and out of the mix on a regular basis.
The fact that Johnsson will get a look over those three speaks not only to his season, but his potentially bright future in Toronto.
“We haven’t had a lot of opportunity to give him a chance,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “Even now, someone else will have to sit. But we have three games this week to give him a look. We’ve seen him on TV and live, and he’s had a good season. They really like him down there (Marlies), he’s got skating, he’s an ultra competitor.”
With speed to burn, Johnsson, skated on a fourth line with Tomas Plekanec and Kaspari Kapanen, both of whom can fly. Pound for pound, that may be the Leafs quickest line.
Johnsson, though, also got reps on the second power play unit, alongside Patrick Marleau, William Nylander, Jake Gardiner, and Leo Komarov. That line has struggled the past month or more — the first unit (Mitch Marner, Nazem Kadri, Morgan Rielly, Tyler Bozak, and James van Riemsdyk), have accounted for six of the last seven power play goals.
In addition to his speed, Johnsson’s hockey sense is strong — he protects the puck well, skates well in tight spaces, and shows impressively in retrieving pucks and keeping them — all skills important to the power play.
“I’m trying to be as intense as I can be as a player, I’d rather shoot before I pass … I guess that’s it,” Johnsson, who has 26 goals this season with the Marlies, eight on the power play — said when asked about what kind of player he is.
Beyond being incredibly excited — he got the notice Monday night, after the Marlies game, and had a bit of difficulty sleeping — Johnsson is likely getting a look at the NHL level until Matthews returns.
While Babcock did not outline any set plans for Johnsson, it would appear that he’s better off getting top minutes for a championship level Marlies team, and weighing in at the NHL level later in the season, during a Leafs playoff run.
With the future of key forwards van Riemsdyk and Bozak uncertain — both are free agent eligible this summer — Johnsson also factors into the Leafs forward roster for next season, if it sees a turnover in bodies.
“I didn’t expect this call up at all,” Johnsson said. “It’s an adrenalin rush all over your body, its exciting.”
Matthews return, meanwhile, will come into sharper focus once he sheds the red jersey in practice (non contact jersey). That could take some time yet — the Leafs have only morning skates the next two days, and a day off scheduled for Friday, prior to Saturday’s home game against Montreal.
That Matthews timeline could put him on an early track to return Saturday; but another scenario mirrors the team’s next timelines: a practice Sunday, followed by a road game in Tampa next Tuesday.
It should be noted that Matthews could return from his injury — a separated shoulder — in as little as three weeks; normal timelines for that type of injury are twice that, and longer.
“I don’t buy into that notion,” Matthews said, when asked if missing eight consecutive games will re-energize him for a playoff run.