The New Jersey Devils continued their offseason transformation Saturday by obtaining winger Andreas Johnsson from the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Joey Anderson.
Johnsson is the Devils newest addition after they signed goaltender Corey Crawford to a $7.8 million, two-year deal Friday. They have a brand-new coach in Lindy Ruff and are hoping to build back into a playoff contender after missing the postseason seven of the previous 8 seasons.
Johnsson, 25, had 8 goals and 13 helps for 21 points in 43 video games last season. He is signed for three more years at an income cap hit of $3.4 million.
” Andreas is a hard-working, competitive forward who can slot up and down the lineup,” Devils general supervisor Tom Fitzgerald said. “The general adaptability of his video game will be a great complement to our centermen with his skating, speed and scoring touch.”
Toronto traded Johnsson to clear much-needed cap space. Anderson, 22, bounced back and forth in between New Jersey and its American Hockey League affiliate in Binghamton the previous two seasons.
“Its a team that has a lot of young skill,” Crawford stated Saturday early morning. “Theyre up and coming. Its a team that Im excited to be a part of.
Johnsson contributes to that. The 5-foot-10 Swede has 67 points in 125 career regular-season video games.
