The Washington Capitals have traded Daniel Sprong, their fourth-round pick in 2022 and their sixth-round pick in 2023 to the Seattle Kraken for former Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson. The Kraken retained 50% of Johansson’s $1,500,000 AAV salary.
Marcus Johansson to Washington is now confirmed. Deal is done.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 21, 2022
Johansson played seven seasons for the Capitals from 2010-2017. He was then traded to the New Jersey Devils in 2017 where he played for two seasons. He then played single seasons with Boston, Buffalo, Minnesota and this season with Seattle. Johansson has six goals and 17 assists in 51 games played so far this season for the Kraken.
Confirmed: Marcus Johansson to the Capitals. Daniel Sprong and draft picks are part of the deal to Seattle.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) March 21, 2022
Sprong showed bursts of offensive production for the Capitals, but never could grasp the defensive end of the game, and was ultimately a regular healthy scratch. Sprong was traded from Pittsburgh and Anaheim for essentially the same reasons.
The #ALLCAPS acquired 31 y/o F Marcus Johansson (Yr 1/1 $1.5M Cap Hit – 50% retained) from #SeaKraken for Daniel Sprong (Yr 2/2 $725K Cap Hit then RFA), ’22 4th & ’23 6th.#ALLCAPS add $25K net Cap Hit
Johansson: 6G 23P in 51GP
Sprong: 8G 14P in 46GPhttps://t.co/2b5wqJtjWr— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 21, 2022
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said he expects Marcus Johansson to be available for the Capitals game on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
From the Washington Capitals
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Marcus Johansson from the Seattle Kraken for forward Daniel Sprong, a 2022 fourth round pick and a 2023 sixth round pick, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Seattle will retain 50% of Johansson’s contract.
On the Marcus Johansson trade with Washington, Seattle GM Ron Francis said Daniel Sprong was “a player they wanted to give back to us.”
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 21, 2022
Johansson, 31, a native of Landskrona, Sweden, recorded 23 points (6g, 17a) in 51 games with the Kraken this season.
The 6’1”, 203-pound forward played seven seasons with Washington from 2010-17, compiling 290 points (102g, 188a) in 501 games. Johansson is one of 31 players in franchise history to play 500 games for the Capitals.
In 735 career games with Washington, the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild and Seattle, Johansson has recorded 401 points (141g, 260a)
.Johansson additionally has 41 points (13g, 28a) in 97 career playoff games, including three game-winning goals and an overtime-winning goal as a member of the Capitals on April 23, 2017, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Johansson was selected by the Capitals in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2009 NHL Draft. He is one of 14 players from the 2009 Draft class to reach the 400-point mark.
Johansson has represented Sweden in the Olympics (2014) and the World Junior Championships (2009, 2010). 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.
Sprong, 25, recorded 14 points (8g, 6a) in 47 games this season. The 6’0”, 193-pound forward recorded 34 points (21g, 13a) in 89 career games with the Capitals. The Capitals acquired Sprong from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Christian Djoos on Feb. 24, 2020.
The NHL trade deadline is 3:00 PM today.
By Jon Sorensen
Why the F would like get rid of Sprong for this old washed up dude?! Wtf!
Sprong never played defense, couldn’t be trusted by Laviolette in own zone. Same reason he was traded from Pittsburgh and Anaheim after one season.
Laviolette was able to maximize his trade value by showcasing his strong points and protecting him in zone play. It wasn’t only about not trusting him- Sprong was long considered to be a trade chip.
Is this the Onion?
Well, we knew that Sprong was in Lavi’s doghouse for whatever reason. I think MoJo’s 6 goals would tie him with Mantha at 13th, 17 assists would put him above Sheary at 7th, and 23 points would put him fourth tied with Backy and Eller.
Giving up picks also is dumb we’re throwing away any potential future with all the picks we’ve traded away recently. Love mojo but he’s old and on expiring contract this makes no sense
Agree. This is too steep a cost.
I know Sprong was a liability on the D side buy relly giving up a young player and 2 picks for someone who is 31 and acores less the Sprong? And if the Caps were looking for salary relief MoJo makes $24K more than Sprong. And MoJo isnt going to get them to the CUP! Seems that they just tossed away 2 draft picks for someone who will be a FA at the end of the year same as Sprong. SO the net is with this trade we take on $24k in salary and lost 2 picks…….wow what a great move GM. Would have made more sense if you did nothing and hung unto your picks.
Yep. Way too much given up.
This is another bad trade (Siegenthaler) I attribute to Laviolette.
Spring for MoJo straight up would have been sketchy, but ok. This is ridiculous.
Since leaving here MoJo has played for New Jersey, Boston, Buffalo, Minnesota, and Seattle. Why does no team keep him? In six years, that’s 7 teams.
Injury prone. The best thing is he is gone after this year as a FA. Bad part we lose 2 draft picks. Looks like gmBM is making a trade just to make a trade. This one is worse than the one that gave NJ a starting D-man and Vegas Chandler. To be honest cant understand why the Caps would want him back.
The Capitals traded him for cap room. The Devils traded him as a pending UFA to a Cup contender (Boston). He signed with the Sabres, who were supposed to take the next step (they sucked), who traded him to the Wild as an upgrade over Eric Staal. He then signed as a UFA with Seattle, who traded him to a contender.
It sounds to me like he’s highly coveted.
If you say so. I’m not convinced.
He has been traded three times to playoff teams looking to add at the deadline. What could be more clear than that?
And won how many cups?
Jon is right on on this one. Plus, 4th and 6th in ’22 and then’23 is nothing. This ain’t the NFL where those picks mean something. Mojo is still fast and very smooth skater and actually plays defense better than he used to. Also, if the coaches are smart, will put him as the ‘Kuzy’ on the 2nd pp. He is excellent at zone entries.
Agreed. And the 4th is for Seattle to retain $750k of his salary.
yeah, I remember fans getting on Mojo about being knocked off the puck easily and losing those board battles. But yeah, he’s older and more experienced now. He was also a good puck handler to get it out of the zone, so I don’t have much heartburn about this move…..it’s tinkering around the edges without really mortgaging the future and I’m okay with that.
Kraken retain 50% of MoJo’s $1,500,000 salary.
4th and 6th rounds are fairly late in the draft….not sure there are many diamonds to be found in the latter rounds, they’re already taken, I’d think. I’m not too concerned with that. And it makes me think that maybe in the off season, Hagelin and Eller’s expiring contracts gets addressed for other players, draft picks and prospects?
But love him or hate him, Mojo is a known commodity at least versus a total unknown and it messes up team chemistry.
This is a good move, glad to get Mojo back. Hockey is a two way game, and you must play D to be on an NHL playoff team. Spring was also a free agent. As much as you like his potential, he just didn’t fit in on this team. Felt like he was the trade chip all along. We now have a more rounded player with experience, familiarity, and can play Center and Wing…in case of injuries. A 4th and a 6th won’t be missed at least 95% of the time. This season has proven we have lots of young players who can fill vacancies. I’m just glad we kept our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks for this next strong draft.
Another dumb move. I doubt any other team fears us more with this “addition”.
All about depth and an experienced player. Now just got another player from Arizona for a 3rd. Love it.
Look thru NHL ROSTERS SND TELL ME HOW MANY TOP 6 forwards are from the the 4th and 6th round. Yeah, it happens, but not often. Great additions!