Winnipeg Jets officially part ways with former prospect Anton Johannesson

The off-season trading strategy talk has ramped up as the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs are underway. We have now reached the official must-sign date for former prospects for entry-level contracts, where the fate of nearly 50 players was decided.

Among those players on the list was one former prospect for the Winnipeg Jets. This is 22-year-old defenseman Anton Johannesson, who was drafted 133rd overall in the fifth round of the 2020 draft.

While this player did not get drafted as late as many other players with exclusivity expiring, fans who have paid close attention to his development believed he would not be of much use to Winnipeg. Johannesson has faced numerous injuries in his stint at home, and at only 5'9", he does not pose much of a threat for defensemen currently in the NHL.

Evidently, this Swedish hockey player was unable to do enough to impress Winnipeg in his 28 games this season with the Brynäs IF. Thus, the Jets have not offered Johannesson a contract and will no longer have exclusivity.

With many more options on the table for Winnipeg, it is unlikely the Jets will miss Johannesson any time soon. Hopefully for the young defenseman, he can find his stride on the ice elsewhere.