The Boston Bruins had plenty of options open heading into the NHL Trade Deadline. One of the available forwards was Marcus Johansson from the New Jersey Devils. Many Bruins fans joked about Johansson potentially coming to the Bruins. The reason? Brad Marchand practically ended his last season with an elbow causing a concussion for Johansson. Therefore, it was a surprise when the Bruins acquired Johansson minutes before the deadline.
From a hockey perspective, Johansson is a very solid addition. If he can stay fully healthy, the Bruins should upgrade with adding him to their lineup. The Swedish forward has been heating up lately, recording 12 points in his last 13 games. If the 28-year-old winger stays away from a concussion or an upper-body injury, both of which bothered him in New Jersey over the past couple of seasons, Boston can only beneficiate from having him on the board.
On the other hand, there is that Brad Marchand incident. Marchand concussed Johansson with an elbow hit last January, when the Devils lost 3-2 at TD Garden. That hit earned Marchand a five-game suspension from the NHL. Here you can take another look at the whole incident.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaJUlUzaZD0]
Marcus Johansson returned to play for the Devils right before the playoff time. What did he have to say about Marchand at that time?
“It was stupid. There’s nothing else to say about it. There was no point in doing that. There was no hockey play whatsoever. It’s sad to see there are still guys out there trying to hurt other guys. It’s sad. It’s stupid. I hope it doesn’t come to him ending someone else’s career before it’s enough. It’s not why we play the game. There are obviously situations where to try to hit someone to make the hockey play and it goes wrong. Then there are plays like this that have nothing to do with hockey. It’s sad to see. I guess I’m unfortunate to be on the receiving end of that,” Johansson said.
Did he think that a five-game suspension really provided a teaching lesson for Marchand?
“Ah, not really, considering this was the ninth time he’s been suspended or fined. Like I said, you hope that it doesn’t come to him ending someone’s career before it’s enough. That’s all I can say. I’m trying to put that behind me and get back to feeling like normal again. That’s all I can do,” Johansson said.
General manager Don Sweeney was asked about that when he addressed media last night. Sweeney said Johansson told him on the trade: “I’d much rather play with Marchand than against him.” That can sound a bit awkward. You are happy to play with a guy because that way he cannot concuss you? Either way, there is a hope that Marchand and Johansson will get along very well.
Marcus Johansson said Marchand called him after the trade. “I think that was a great gesture from him…I’ve heard great things about (Marchand), that he’s a great guy, a great teammate.”
Sweeney even mentioned that Johansson was happy to come to play with the Bruins. Johansson and Marchand are professionals and they know, that there a bigger prize than their personal issues. Now both of them want to bring the Stanley Cup back to Boston. It’s worth mentioning that Johansson left the Washington Capitals a season before they finally won the Stanley Cup. He is eager to get it done this time.
