Toronto Maple Leafs: Andreas Johnsson signs qualifying offer
By James Reeve
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Thursday that Swedish winger Andreas Johnsson has signed his qualifying offer.
According to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ public relations account on Twitter, Andreas Johnsson’s signed offer will see him earn $787,500 for one season with the team.
It is also a two-way contract, meaning that he will not need to pass waivers should the NHL club wish to send him back down to the Toronto Marlies in the AHL
The @MapleLeafs announced today that forward Andreas Johnsson has accepted his qualifying offer, a one-year, two-way contract with an NHL salary of $787,500. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) July 13, 2018
It is, however, unlikely to envisage that particular situation occurring – with Johnsson expected to fully cement his position within the NHL club’s line-up.
Johnsson has been an impressive late bloomer for the Leafs, with the 2013 seventh-round pick needing to spend a few more years developing in his home country of Sweden before being brought over to play for the Marlies two seasons ago.
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Since then, Johnsson has registered 101 points (46 goals and 55 assists) in the AHL and had an extremely promising spell with the Leafs, ending the NHL season with five points (three goals and two assists) in 15 regular season and playoff appearances.
Head coach Mike Babcock once gushed about the 5 foot 10, 181 pound left-handed winger, with the speedy Swede registering nine shots in one game.
His strong season for the Marlies saw the AHL club lift their first-ever Calder Cup, with Johnsson earning 10 goals and 24 total points in just 16 playoff appearances.
With very little left for Johnsson to prove at the AHL level, he is expected to crack the Leafs’ line-up from day one of the pre-season, likely finding himself on the team’s third line, alongside Nazem Kadri.
His development has been a great story to follow in recent years and the Leafs now have him locked down for another season – one in which he will work hard to earn a big pay rise next summer.
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What do you think of Johnsson signing? Are you happy with the term and cost? Do you see him sticking with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the whole of next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!