This story <a href="https://hockeysverige.se/intervju/nicklas-lidstrom-om-anton-johansson-kanns-valdigt-lovande/">originally appeared on hockeysverige.se </a>and has been translated from Swedish to English.



Anton Johansson debuted in the SHL for Leksand during the 2021-22 season. In the summer of 2022, he was also drafted by the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/detroit-red-wings/line-combinations">Detroit Red Wings</a> in the fourth round, 105th overall. Since then, he’s come a long way. Last season, he competed for Sweden in the World Juniors and left Gothenburg with a silver medal around his neck. This year, he’s taking a bigger role in the SHL and has seen his ice-time and responsibilities increase.



Although the Red Wings already have a lot of Swedish defensemen in their system, chances are there will be one more next&nbsp;year.



Legendary defenseman Nicklas Lidström is one of the people in the Red Wings organization keeping tabs of how the 20-year-old defenseman is progressing. He’s impressed with Johansson’s development.<div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="141"></div>



“Anton has become more stable in his play,” Lidstrom said. “That comes with more experience and with the confidence from getting to play a bit more. I also think he’s very good with the puck, mobile, and good at getting his shots through, which we saw recently when he scored with a wrist shot. “He’s also become more solid in his own zone, goes hard into the corners and tries to be physical. He’s progressing all the time and has a strong development curve.”



Through his first 24 games this season, Anton Johansson had scored three goals and added two helpers. Not a massive output, but the overall impression is that he’s slowly growing into his 6’4″ frame, and that his play is maturing along with&nbsp;that. “I think my personal season has been good,” Johansson said. “I’ve started to take strides in the last few games. Even though we’ve lost a bit, I’ve played well. I’ll keep going down this path, and things will work out.”<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="164"></div>



How does he envision his long-term role? 



“I’m probably a two-way defenseman and try to do my part defensively, stay solid, and I know what I can do offensively,” he said.



He certainly doesn’t shy away from physicality.



“No, definitely not. It’s fun to throw hits,” he said with a smile.



There’s evidence to that in the stats. Johansson has compiled 40 penalty minutes, making him one of the 10 most penalized players in the league. He’s also top-10 in terms of hits given.



Those are numbers that probably bring him closer to an NHL contract at the end of the season. But Lidström says that they won’t rush the young defensemen.



“He’s in a good situation where he is now, here in Leksand,” Lidstrom said. “He gets to play a lot and has the trust of the team. It feels very promising.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="144"></div>



“At the end of the season, the next decision will be made about what happens after that. There’s no rush right now to make any decisions.”



Anton Johansson is also happy where he&nbsp;is. “I agree. Leksand is a great place where I thrive a lot,” he said. “I haven’t thought much about the future yet and will just see what Detroit has to say. Then we’ll take it from there.”&nbsp;



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