Victor Johansson is fighting for minutes in a stacked Brynas blueline, and if he's not going to be playing regularly then it creates an issue for the Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect pipeline has had its fair share of attention in recent weeks, especially with the emergence of Gavin McKenna as a generational talent, Tinus Luc Koblar improving more and more, and Ben Danford is taking the right steps to becoming a full-time NHL regular.
However there is still one prospect that has been with the team for the past couple of years who hasn't really made the leap from overseas - Victor Johansson.
Johansson left Leksand for a bigger opportunity, but Brynäs offers no easy path to minutes
Johansson, 20, was the Maple Leafs' 120th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and is projected to be a very good offensive defenceman who is more than capable of handling his own defensively. He posted three points with Leksands in 2025-26 before being loaned to IK Oskarshamn where he out up 10 points in 22 games.
He's already been able to secure some pretty elite roles as he was named to Team Sweden for the 2026 World Juniors - and walked away with a gold medal after all was said and done despite not having the best tournament.
He's got a better team around him now with Brynas, however that also is going to lead to a lot more of a fight for minutes. The team already has two very good offensive defencemen in Axel Rindell and Johannes Kinvall, meanwhile their shutdown spots are already covered by Robert Hagg and Christian Djoos.
However he does have a chance to outplay Axel Andersson, who is six years older and offers a very similar skillset. If Brynas is already comfortable with their top-four on the blueline, Johansson could end up finding minutes.
Also to note, Johansson gets to play with former Maple Leaf Calle Järnkrok - who recently signed a three-year deal with Brynas.
Johansson's ice time matters more than his point total at this stage of Toronto's evaluation
However, the Maple Leafs only have a limited time to make sure they get what they need out of Johansson. With them needing to sign him by July 2028, that gives him only a couple of years to not only solidify a spot, but also perform better than he ever has.
It's less about point total with Johansson because that comes with time - and those precious minutes are much more important in telling how his growth will be. If he scores a bunch of points but only manages limited ice time then there has to be a question as to why he wasn't given a more prominent role if he was producing.
His defensive game has always been weaker than his offensive game, and he has had problems with focusing and keeping himself out of the penalty box. If he can prove that he's able to be more disciplined and add some more rounded defensive skills to Brynas - he should get his time.
Toronto does not need Johansson to pile up points this season. It needs to see whether Brynäs trusts him with meaningful SHL minutes, tougher matchups and enough responsibility to show that his game is progressing against men.
Will Victor Johansson get regular minutes this season for Brynas?
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