Red Wings Notebook: Johansson Answers Critic in Best Way Possible

There was controversy in Sweden earlier this week when a rival player was suggesting that the only reason Detroit Red Wings prospect Anton Johansson was occupying a spot on the defense for Leksand was because of his father’s influence. Tjomme Johansson is sporting director for the Leksand club.

Anton Johansson had his best game of the season today, picking up his first point (assist) and a +3 rating while playing 16:06 in a 5-2 win #LGRW pic.twitter.com/DTGi3t479D

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 7, 2023

On the weekend, Johansson was answering these charges of nepotism in absolutely the best manner possible – by playing a starring role in a Leksand victory. The 19-year-old defenseman dished out an assist and was plus-three as Leksand downed HV71 5-2. The 2022 Detroit draftee skated 16:06 of ice time in the victory.

Former Grand Rapids Griffins goalie and 2016 Red Wings draft pick Filip Larsson got the win for Leksand to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Hagg Sent To AHL

One defenseman who began last season with the Red Wings is in the AHL and a second could soon be on his way there. The Anaheim Ducks were assigning Robert Hagg to the AHL San Diego Gulls after he was clearing NHL waivers. It’s a move that’s not sitting well with NHL veteran Hagg.

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“I don’t know what’s going on,” Hagg told Gunnar Nordstrom of Swedish site Expressen.se “I’m actually a bit upset. We’ll see what happens now.”

On Sunday, the Montreal Canadiens put Gustav Lindstrom on NHL waivers. If he clears, it’s likely that Lindstrom will be heading to teh AHL Laval Rocket.

Larionov Jr. Getting Paid

Former Red Wings legend Igor Larionov is a Hall of Famer. He won multiple Stanley Cups with Detroit and is a member of the Triple Gold club as a Cup champ, IIHF World Championship winner and Olympic gold medalist. But in his own hockey family, he’s currently the No. 2 breadwinner.

Igor Larionov Jr.,  a forward with Torpedo of the KHL, is earning 20 million Russian roubles this season, or about $198,000. His more famous father, coach of the Torpedo club, is banking 17 million roubles, around $168,000. And young Igor doesn’t see a problem with this math.

“I think this,” Larionov Jr. told Russian website SportExpress.ru. “If the general manager decided so, then it’s right.”

Buchelnikov Debuts With Admiral

Moving on loan from SKA to Admiral, Red Wings draft pick Dmitry Buchelnikov made his KHL debut with his new club on Sunday in a 2-1 loss to Ak Bars Kazan. He was limited to seven shifts and just 4:07 of ice time. Admiral coach Leonid Tambiev is expecting that Buchelnikov’s role with the team will be expanding as he grows more acclimatized to his new surroundings. He only skated through one practice with Admiral prior to Sunday’s game.

#BuchSZN
🚨 Dmitri Buchelnikov PP 💪 #LGRW
2-1 SKA Neva #VHL pic.twitter.com/nZLOPBqee1

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) October 1, 2023

“I let Dima play,” Tambiev told KHL.ru. “I see the player’s potential, although I need to figure it out. But the boy’s eyes are sparkling, he wants to play in the KHL.

“I think he can play in this league. I’ll give him a chance – we’ll prepare him, train him. As they say, when it comes to young people, they need to perceive everything correctly and absorb it like a sponge. I’ve been watching him for a long time.”