Marcus Johansson embracing new challenge with Devils

Forward Marcus Johansson is ready to seize the opportunity as the hunter instead of the hunted in his first season with the New Jersey Devils.
Johansson was traded to the Devils from the Washington Capitals for two 2018 NHL Draft picks on July 2 after spending the past seven seasons in Washington and qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six of them. The Capitals won the Presidents' Trophy as the top team in the League in each of the past two seasons; the Devils have failed to qualify for the playoffs five straight seasons.

"Honestly, I just see positives," Johansson said on Friday. "I feel New Jersey] is moving in the right direction. I don't mind sort of being an underdog. I think we have a great team and if we can put all the pieces together, I think we could surprise a lot of people.
"I'm looking forward to that and being part of something that is built and becoming better every day and every year."
***[\[RELATED: Johansson traded to Devils from Capitals\]*
Johansson, 26, has two years remaining on a three-year, $13.75 million contract (average annual value, $4.58 million) he signed July 20, 2016, according to CapFriendly.com. He set NHL career highs in goals (24), points (58) and plus/minus (plus-25) in 82 games for the Capitals last season at left wing on a line with center Evgeny Kuznetsov and right wing Justin Williams.
"The more you play with someone the easier it gets, so that helped a lot," Johansson said. "We were three players who were creative and played with a lot of speed, and when we did that we were working for each other; it made it easier. It was a lot of fun but it was good for me to be on the same line for pretty much the whole year."
Johansson had eight points (two goals, six assists) in 13 playoff games for the Capitals, who were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Second Round in seven games by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Devils ranked 28th in the NHL with 180 goals scored last season. They tied for 29th in the League with 114 goals scored 5-on-5.

Johansson said he's most comfortable at left wing, but is up for any challenge to help provide offense.
"I have played a little right wing, just not as much as left wing and center," he said. "Most players can play any position; it just takes some getting used to. I'm open for whatever comes my way when I get [to training camp in September]. I'm happy about this chance and opportunity to play on this team and take the next step in my career.
"I try to play with a lot of speed and be creative, and use my linemates as much as I can."
Washington selected Johansson with the No. 24 pick in the 2009 draft. He has 290 points (102 goals, 188 assists) in 501 NHL games.
In addition to Johansson, the Devils signed free agent center Brian Boyle to a two-year, $5.5 million contract on July 1, and selected center Nico Hischier with the No. 1 pick of the 2017 draft on June 23.
"We're strong and fast and that's how I like to play," Johansson said. "I'm looking forward to it and if we take it the right way, it'll be a really strong team. [Hischier] seems like a good hockey player and being picked No. 1, I think that says a lot, so it's going to be fun playing with him and watch how he develops this year."