Niklas Kronwall has been in close contact with Johansson, sending Johansson clips of his shifts, passing along feedback and, at one point, getting on the ice with him in Karlstad.
“It means a lot because he (has) been over there for a long time, and he knows how it is,” Johansson said. “… I’m listening to a lot of what he says and all that because he knows how it is over there and just (tries) to tell me a little bit how it is and help me along my way. So of course I listen and take in as much as I can.”
Pennerborn highlighted all the small details Kronwall can teach an up-and-comer like Johansson, saying “you can’t value that, it’s so important.” He also has former NHL defenseman Peter Popovic on staff as Färjestad defense coach, giving Johansson another NHL voice in his ear as he progresses toward the league himself.