The Chicago Blackhawks have signed Swedish goaltender Lars Johansson and forward Martin Lundberg, the team announced Tuesday.
Johansson, 28, was named the Swedish Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Year after posting a 27-6 record with seven shutouts and a league-best 1.74 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in 37 games to lead Frölunda HC to a league title. He also won the Champions League this past season with Frölunda.
In three seasons with Frölunda, the 6-foot, 198-pound net minder is 56-27 with 11 shutouts. He has never lost more than 11 games in a season.
It is believed to be a two-way contract which will allow the Hawks to move Johansson between Chicago and the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, where he’s likely to take the starting job. Michael Leighton served as Rockford’s starter last season, but is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Leighton, 34, made 16 saves in one appearance for Chicago last season. He went 28-8-8 with a 2.44 GAA, .918 save percentage and five shutouts in 46 games.
Lundberg, 25, recorded 21 points (13 goals and 8 assists) in 44 games with SHL’s Skelleftea and added six points (four goals and two assists) in 16 postseason games. He tallied two goals in eight games with Sweden at the world championships. He won bronze at the 2010 WJC and posted two assists in five games.