Before the 2025-26 NHL season has even officially ended with either Vegas or Carolina hoisting the Stanley Cup, the Wild’s roster already is changing.

After hinting that he might want to finish his career in his native country, former Wild forward Marcus Johansson announced on Friday that he has signed a contract with Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League and will not return to the NHL.

Johansson, who will turn 36 in October, played professionally with Farjestad and won a title there in 2009 before beginning his 1,000-game NHL career with the Washington Capitals. He had two stints in Minnesota, spending the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season with the team, then returning in 2023 and spending the past three full seasons in St. Paul.

Working under a one-year contract worth $800,000 last season, Johansson had one of his better NHL seasons. Playing wing on the team’s second line with Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek for most of the year, he posted his best numbers in a decade, with 15 goals and 34 assists for 49 points in 75 games.

“He had a great year for us. We really liked having him as a part of the team. He always showed up and was a big part of our team the last few years, and helped us do a lot of great things,” Wild general manager Bill Guerin told the Pioneer Press. “We’ll miss him and his family, but this is a great opportunity for him to play back at home.”

Johansson also was an injury replacement for Team Sweden for the 2026 Winter Olympics and scored four goals in 11 playoff games for the Wild.

“I feel like I played well for most of the year, and stayed fairly healthy as well,” Johansson said a few days after the Wild season ended. “It felt good. It’s fun to play. I definitely still feel like I have a lot more hockey in me, for sure.”

While acknowledging that he and his family liked life in Minnesota, and noting the chemistry he developed with Wild teammates, Johansson said he would take a few weeks to determine his best path forward. Guering said the team is “looking at all options” to fill his spot on the roster.

Free agency officially begins on July 1.

“This isn’t a complete surprise,” Guerin said. “We were planning for the team with Jojo on it and the team without Jojo on it. So, we’ve looked at a lot of things.” the NHL.