Capitals’ Marcus Johansson asking for $5.25 million in arbitration

Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson is reportedly asking for $5.25 million a year in arbitration. The Caps have countered with $3.85 million. 

The NHL’s first arbitration case of the offseason starts on Wednesday when the Washington Capitals and forward Marcus Johansson will go to arbitration. This is the second consecutive offseason that the Caps and Johansson have gone to arbitration. Last year, Johansson received $3.75 million. This year, he is asking for $5.25 million, according to Elliotte Friedman. The Caps have countered with $3.85 million.

Johansson’s closest comparable contract might be the one that the Tampa Bay Lightning and Alex Killorn just agreed upon. Killorn has been more productive in the postseason than Johansson, but Johansson has been more productive in the regular season. Those two factors tend to even themselves out.

His ask of $5.25 million is not unreasonable. In arbitration, the players tend to ask for more because they obviously want to make as much money as possible. On the other hand, teams want to save as much money as they can, so they tend to submit a much lower figure. If the two sides meet in the middle, that means that Johansson would have a $4.55 million salary next season. Considering that the Capitals have some important decisions to make next offseason, they will likely only want Johansson at a one-year deal.

Johansson had 46 points in 74 games last season and has 232 career points in 419 games. While he might be slotted on the Capitals’ third line, he is a very capable second line player. Depth is important. If the Caps want to win the Stanley Cup, guys like Johansson are important.

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