Maple Leafs prospect completely vanishes

Toronto Maple Leafs defensive prospect Victor Johnasson has yet to suit up overseas, and with no word on what his status is, it's like he's completely disappeared.

There's so much talk about which prospects for the Maple Leafs are ready to make the leap to the NHL. You've got Ben Danford, Noah Chadwick, Vinny Borgesi, Luke Haymes, Harry Nansi, Ethan MacKenzie, Miroslav Holinka among several others -the pipeline has certainly grown in recent years.

But there's one name who had been making waves overseas, that being defenseman Victor Johansson. The mobile defender was someone who could have made the leap to North America this season, but it seems like the Maple Leafs decided some more time in Sweden was the answer.

Problem is, he's nowhere to be seen.

Victor Johansson completely vanished in Sweden

With Brynas already in the midst of its SHL season, Johansson is not in the lineup for their game against Frolunda, and hasn't made an appearance all season:

-

The last time Johansson took the ice in a regular season game was last year for IK Oskarshamn, and didn't participate in the preseason at all. According to sources in Sweden, Johansson is reportedly dealing with an unspecified issue:

-

Now, it should be noted that Johansson has dealt with issues in the past, mostly to do with his focus. After receiving treatment, he was markedly better and it seemed like his issues were in the past. But no one seems to have a clue as to what's ailing him now.

Can Victor Johansson end up still being a factor?

Well, if he can get himself into some game action then absolutely. There is a lot of potential still hiding inside Johansson and it's a bit odd that we have heard nothing about him either positive or negative. He'd be a great replacement down the line for an aging player like Troy Stecher or Oliver Ekman-Larsson in a couple of years.

But him being absent and going radio silent means that we don't really know if there is a future for him. Toronto already has William Villeneuve as someone on the fringe of making the NHL squad however he is out long-term with an ACL reconstruction - but at least we know what's going on.

There was a lot of hope after last year's World Juniors as Johansson proved that he could be an effective offensive driver while not sacrificing too much defensively. But not playing for Brynas game after game is only hurting his potential.

Will Victor Johansson be a Maple Leaf? Only time will tell, but if we don't hear anything soon then it's unlikely unless he comes from out of nowhere to shock us all.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs make a final decision on trading Easton Cowan