Johansson Going Home to Färjestad, Likely Closing NHL Career

Marcus Johansson is going home.

Färjestad BK announced Friday that the 35-year-old forward signed to return to the Swedish club where his pro career began, a move that likely closes the book on 16 seasons in the NHL.

The club kept it short, posting “Vi ringde en vän” on Friday, or “we called a friend”:

Johansson came up through Färjestad as a teenager from 2007 to 2010 before Washington took him in the first round and brought him across the Atlantic. He told Swedish outlet Värmlands Folkblad the deal runs two seasons, while the club’s own release lists one year for 2026-27. Either way, he is a Färjestad player again.

He talked about what it will feel like to skate in front of the home crowd again.

“To play in front of Färjestad’s fans again, it’s something you don’t forget. I remember from many years since I went over that there is always a good pressure in Löfbergs Arena. When things really heat up in Löfbergs, it’s always fun.”

Minnesota wanted him back. Wild beat reporter Michael Russo reported that Johansson, a pending unrestricted free agent coming off a real solid year, picked Sweden instead:

He leaves the Wild after his best offensive run in nearly 10 years, putting up 15 goals and 34 assists for 49 points in 75 games and adding four goals in 11 playoff games this spring.

The veteran also hit 1,000 NHL games this season, becoming just the 20th Swede ever to reach that mark. Across stops in Washington, New Jersey, Boston, Buffalo, Seattle and Minnesota, he racked up 200 goals and 566 points, and he won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.

Johansson is following his close friend and old Washington teammate Nicklas Backstrom, who went back to Brynäs IF to finish things where they started.

Färjestad welcomed him back with a video and a message that fit the moment:

Number 90 is headed back to Karlstad, and Färjestad gets a 566-point NHL veteran out of the deal.