Swede earns roster spot ahead of Friday opener
He just turned 20 years old on Wednesday, but the Capitals are confident center Marcus Johansson is ready for the NHL.
Johansson, the team’s first-round draft choice in 2009, made the final cut as Washington trimmed its training-camp roster to 24 players, one above the NHL maximum. The only decision left is whether goalie Semyon Varlamov is healthy enough to start the season or if Dany Sabourin will serve as the backup when the Caps begin play on Friday at Atlanta.
Johansson beat out center Mathieu Perreault, 22, who was sent back to AHL Hershey along with forward Jay Beagle. Forward Andrew Gordon and defenseman Brian Fahey were placed on waivers. If another NHL team does not claim either by Thursday morning then they also go back to Hershey.
Johansson, the No. 24 overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft, has made the quick adjustment to the smaller ice surface in North America. He played the last two seasons in the Swedish Elite League and is on a similar path teammate and fellow Swede Nicklas Backstrom took. Backstrom made the Caps’ final roster at age 19 in 2007 and now at 22 is one of the game’s finest centers.
“It’s time for [Johansson] to play here. And interestingly enough I think he’s ahead of where Nicky Backstrom was at this point,” Caps general manager George McPhee said. “I don’t know if this kid has that kind of upside. But he’s good enough to play here and will be a good, solid player for a long time.”
The other addition to the forward corps is Matt Hendricks, 29, who signed a professional tryout contract with Washington during training camp and earned a spot. He had previously played under coach Bruce Boudreau when both were with Hershey in 2006-07. The versatile Hendricks can play center or either wing position.
