Marcus Johansson: Healthy and Ready

by Malin A on Sep 1, 2011 2:30 PM EDT in Translations

Marcus Johansson of the Washington Capitals celebrates his third period goal during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 15, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Recently, Marcus Johansson talked to nwt.se about his off season training program, and what his expectations are for the upcoming season. Here's a translation of that chat.

For all of August, Marcus Johansson has been on ice with Färjestad, and now Mackan is ready for his second season in the NHL. His first season as the youngest player on the Washington Capitals was a big success.

In preparation for the upcoming season, Marcus has been training under Ulf Karlsson, the former coach of the Swedish national track and field team.

"Last year I trained too much and I was a bit slow in the beginning of the season because of that. Ulf has helped me create a training program that is tailor-made just for me. He is very talented."

It was Marcus's uncle Gunnar Johansson, the former Färjestad coach, that introduced him to Ulf Karlsson.

More muscle weight

"I have worked a lot on my speed and to try to build up my strength and I have put on a few extra kilos of muscle mass. You need that over there. I can already feel that it has given some results. I can remain more stable when I bump into someone on the ice and I also have better balance with the puck in tight situations."

Washington Capitals management praised Marcus both during and after his rookie season. Mackan was the team's youngest player, but he still averaged between 15 and 20 minutes of ice time at the end of the season.

"I got the opportunity to play on both the power play and the penalty kill unit. That's not something I would have expected when I first went over there last year. The coaches told me after the season that I had succeeded beyond their expectations, that they liked me as a two-way player and that they looked forward to seeing me next season."

Playing with Ovechkin

Marcus was even given a chance to play on the same line as the team's superstar Alex Ovechkin.

"I personally don't think that I succeeded beyond anyone's expectations. I went over there to play as much as possible, and as the season progressed, I progressed with it and played better and better. After Christmas I really got going."

It also helped that he was completely injury-free. In the first half of the season, he was bothered by first a groin injury and then cracks in the bones of the foot and in a big toe.

"I have very high expectations for this upcoming season. I'm on the team to perform at the the top of my abilities. It's important to continue where I left off last season and continue to improve everything."

On Saturday Marcus is leaving Karlstad to go visit his parents in Landskrona.

"I fly to Washington on September 1st. Our main camp begins on September 15th and we play the first preseason game on the 19th."

The Capitals first NHL game is at home against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 8, two days after Mackan's 21st birthday.

"Last year I found out on my birthday that I would be playing in the opening game. That birthday gift will be hard to beat!"

"I really like Washington D.C., it's a great city to live in."

This time he won't travel alone across the Atlantic, his girlfriend Amelia will come with him.

"My girlfriend Amelia studies to become a social worker, therefore she stayed home in Sweden last winter. But now she is taking a sabbatical to come with me. It feels great."

Mackan wants to see a happier ending to the season this year.

"My biggest hope is that we will win it all this year."

Last season Washington got eliminated by Tampa Bay in the second round of the playoffs.

"It was very disappointing. We beat them during the regular season, but in the playoffs they deserved to win. Tampa was the better team."

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“I have worked a lot on my speed and to try to build up my strength and I have put on a few extra kilos of muscle mass. You need that over there. I can already feel that it has given some results. I can remain more stable when I bump into someone on the ice and I also have better balance with the puck in tight situations.”

Not sure he could’ve said anything that would make me happier.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 1, 2011 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

60 points or bust!

Obviously, this is all speculation.

by Rob Parker on Sep 1, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

___

Johansson… bust… I shouldn’t, but I will…

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 1, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

So is each one 30 points or how does this system work?

Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.

by SmallZ827 on Sep 1, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Alternatively, the judges would have accepted, “Speaking of D goals…”

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 1, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

I think if this were the new Noon Number you’d get a lot of votes for both D goals and Semin.

Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.

by SmallZ827 on Sep 1, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Alright, enough off-topic. Back to the subject at hand. Thanks for the mammaries, err, memories, Scarlet.

(Sorry, Malin)

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 1, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

In this situation, I believe the word you’re looking for is “pounds,” not “points.”

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Now THAT’S winning the Cup…er, Cups…uh…

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Sep 1, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Dra åt helvete!

by Malin A on Sep 1, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

But ok I’ll admit it. You made me laugh.

by Malin A on Sep 1, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Man, I can’t imagine what he will look like if his speed training had any appreciable results. Talk about improving an area that needed none…

Obviously, this is all speculation.

by Rob Parker on Sep 1, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

I know it’s just talk, but the whole 2C-is-a-gaping-hole problem is starting to get smaller in my rear-view mirror.

Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.

by SmallZ827 on Sep 1, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

agreed and exactly what I was thinking as I was reading, especially the quote pulled out by JP

"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net." - Brooks Laich

"...I got the most gentlemanly player in juniors my last year. I'm a gentleman, always a gentleman." - Matt Bradley

by bigity b on Sep 1, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

If he put on 10-15 and maintained his speed, he could quickly become a shoe-in at 2C

Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn

by sydtron on Sep 1, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

With the only concern being faceoffs.

Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.

by Davethecapsfan on Sep 1, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

and scoring?

He put up 27 points last year. Morrison wasn’t resigned after putting up 42 as a 2C.

I’d hope to see Mackan trending to similar numbers to Morrison before calling him a shoe-in. I don’t think that’s unrealistic for a second year player.

by Stormblue on Sep 1, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

But Morrison started off gangbusters and then fell off a cliff. MoJo started out like a rookie and got stronger as the year went on.

You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!

by EmilyB on Sep 1, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Mackan

Pre all-star — 38 games, 6 goals, 6 assists, -5 (.32 PPG)
Post all-star – 31 games, 7 goals, 8 assists, +7 (.48 PPG)

.48 PPG for a whole season is 39 points.

By the way, for the month of March it’s 15 games, 4 goals, 5 assists, +8 (.6 PPG). And he took 29 of his 102 shots during that month alone. That makes me salivate, and it’s support for JP’s though of putting Mackan and Ovi on a line together.

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

The kid also put up 6 points in 9 playoff games…good for tied with Alex Semin for 3rd most on the team.

Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.

by Davethecapsfan on Sep 1, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Alex Semin? But that guy doesn’t even try!

Mackan had a very nice end of season and was great in the playoffs. Things really fall into place if he holds the 2C all year. Much to be excited about.

by Stormblue on Sep 1, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Clearly he tries sometimes…the desire is that he would all the time. But hey I wish other guys “didn’t care” even as effectively as Semin does sometimes.

Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.

by Davethecapsfan on Sep 1, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Here’s a list of the point totals centers have put up in their second year in the league (since the lockout).

by Malin A on Sep 1, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

12 players above 60 points — so you’re saying there’s a chance…

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Marcus Johansson is tied for #30 on this corresponding list of rookie centers over the same time.

on the list you provided had 38 points in his second season. So that may be a reasonable expectation for Mackan. Any thing better than 40 points would be a really good year for him, and more than we should probably expect.

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

that should read “# 30 on the list you provided had 38 points in hi second season…”

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

But the REAL question of course…is how many of those 2nd year centers had a PISSED OFF AND NEWLY MOTIVATED ALEX SEMIN PLAYING ON THEIR WING HUH???

Hahaha.

Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.

by Davethecapsfan on Sep 1, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

(shoo-in)

"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box

I have $50 to Olie's autism charity or So Kids Can and a beer on the under for 50/57/107 as AO's final stat line for 2011-'12

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 1, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m still trying to keep my expectations realistic, but posts like this just make me want to dance a happy dance. Wouldn’t it be great if the risk GMGM took last season to rush Mackan and grow a 2C actually worked. He certainly had a good handle on Mackan’s character and determination.

by capsyoungguns on Sep 1, 2011 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

Think of it in context.

GMGM risked playing Johansson over Nylander.

"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."

by Dimagus on Sep 1, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Made me laugh!

by capsyoungguns on Sep 1, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

This year he (MarJo) will be legal, as in legal to drink alcohol.

Last year I remember LeTourneay-LeBlond trying to fight him at the home opener when Carlson intervened instead.

Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.

by CapsFan75 on Sep 1, 2011 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Quit with the excitement. Has there ever been an off-season article about how x player let himself go? “I decided not to really train this summer. I figured I did pretty good last year, so I spent most of this summer eating Krispy Kremes and playing NHL11. I’m psyched for the upcoming season.”

by katzistan on Sep 1, 2011 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

C’mon, dude. While I agree that the “I’m in the best shape of my life” cliches this time of year get to be absurd, someone busted her ass to translate this article so that we could all read it. No need to crap on it or anyone enjoying it.

I know, I know… just a joke aimed at the substance of the post, not the effort that went into it.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 1, 2011 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

I thought the fact that Marcus was specific about how he improved made it a valuable article. It wasn’t just a generic I’m in shape blah blah. Plus the fact it took Malin a lot of effort. Also we found out specifics about his injuries last season that we didn’t know.

by vtcapsfan99 on Sep 2, 2011 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I was commenting on the enthusiastic comments, not the article itself. Absolutely respect the effort of the translation. Commenters at the Rink, however, should be sufficiently jaded by now to avoid getting excited by this kind of article.

What I would be interesting to see, is a mid- or late-season retrospective of all the best-shape-of-my-life articles. Can one discern any difference in impact from the different training regimens or approaches accounted by the players?

by katzistan on Sep 2, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I know. Just had to throw my reaction out there.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 2, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey I’m not jaded—yet anyway. I do try to keep my gushing to a minimum ‘round these parts (this a serious, keep it real kind of place after all). But forgive me when it slips out every now and then. Especially at the start of the season when anything is possible. This time of year is when my glass is at its fullest. I’m sure I’ll be grumpy and disappointed about something with the team by December (guess I can be a little bit jaded).

by capsyoungguns on Sep 2, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions