The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Lucas Johansen from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
The move comes after defenseman John Carlson was hit in the face with the puck from a shot by defenseman Brenden Dillon in Washington’s 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. Carlson spent Friday night at the hospital, was released on Saturday, and is out indefinitely.
Johansen, 25, has appeared in two games with Washington this season. The 6’2″, 180-pound defenseman made his NHL debut and recorded his first career point on Dec. 31, 2021 against the Detroit Red Wings. In three career NHL games with the Capitals, Johansen has recorded one assist.
The Vancouver, British Columbia native has recorded two points (1g, 1a) in 13 games with Hershey this season. Johansen recorded 28 points (8g, 20a) in 62 games with Hershey during the 2021-22 season, establishing AHL career highs in goals, points and plus/minus (20). Johansen finished the season ranked first among Hershey defensemen in plus/minus and second in goals, assists and points. In 208 career AHL career games with Hershey, Johansen has recorded 75 points (18g, 57a). The Capitals selected Johansen with their first-round pick, 28th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Washington returns from the NHL’s holiday break on Tuesday night when they visit the New York Rangers (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market).
Caps return on Tuesday night not Wednesday night 🙂
Article is wrong – Caps play tonight (Tuesday 12/27)
Both Alexeyev (playing tonight) and Johansen (just called up) have been dogged by injuries throughout their careers. Turns out they are almost exactly two years apart in age.
(In the missed opportunity department, Caps had traded the 26th pick to the St Louis Blues for the 28th pick and another draft pick. The Blues then drafted Tage Thompson with that pick and later traded him and others to the Sabres for Ryan O’Reilly. Caps drafted Johansen with that 28th pick. Two years later, Caps drafted Alexeyev. The very next pick, Buffalo picked Mattias Samuelssson who is now a good young defenseman for them.)
Lucas and Garret Pilon. I still have hope in both that can be serviceble nhl players
Welp, at least he’s racking up the miles.
Well, this is a good opportunity for others to step up. Feel like Gus has already done that and he’ll now need to hold down 23 minutes per game, Top pair, and point on the PP.
Of course also a great opportunity for Alexyev and Johansen. They’re time to prove they are NHL players! All three are pending Free Agents. Can’t sign them all.