With their final pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins again addressed a need on the blueline by selecting 6’3”, 214-pound defenceman Loke Johansson.
Johansson, born in late 2015, is among the older first-time draft-eligible players in his draft class. Having observed him while following Casper Nassen and Kristian Kostadinski in the J20 Nationell in Sweden last season, I had the chance to watch Johansson as he advanced to HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden’s version of the AHL) later in the season.
Johansson is a developing player with significant growth ahead. However, he is not an offensive defenseman. He does not possess the skills necessary to be effective in the offensive zone or to participate in the attacking transition. Nonetheless, this is not a detriment, as many players have successfully carved out NHL careers as shutdown defensemen.
Upon his promotion to the Allsvenskan, Johansson maintained a strong physical presence, opting to initiate contact rather than endure it. Nonetheless, this transition highlighted areas for improvement in his defensive zone, as he often faltered under pressure.
He possesses the tools necessary for the job. His competitive level is high, and he’s an agile skater in all four directions. His speed isn’t his strongest asset, particularly when it comes to initial acceleration. However, he can execute a solid first pass when not facing pressure.
I think it’s fair to say we need to keep expectations in check here.
Dom - Hockey 