Johansson was drafted out of Sweden by the Buffalo Sabres, he was picked 14th overall by the Sabres in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. His first season, 1987–88, was a good one, as he compiled 38 assists and 42 points and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. However, the next season he was traded to the Washington Capitals along with a second round draft choice in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft for Clint Malarchuk, Grant Ledyard, and a sixth round draft pick in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. Johansson prospered in Washington, as he became one of Washington's best defenceman over the next 15 seasons. Although he was behind the shadow of higher profile defencemen in Washington, such as Scott Stevens, Rod Langway, Kevin Hatcher, Al Iafrate and Sergei Gonchar, he was a solid contributor for the club. In the 1992–93 NHL season, Johansson was part of the defense core in Washington that set a new record for team defence scoring. Although Hatcher, Iafrate and Sylvain Côté all scored over 20 goals, Johansson helped get to the record with his seven goals. Johansson was part of the Washington team that made their improbable run to the Stanley Cup finals in 1998, but the Capitals were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings. Johansson retired after the 2002–03 NHL season, but the Toronto Maple Leafs persuaded him to come back and help their team in their playoff run the next season. However, the Leafs failed to win the Cup, and Johansson retired for good after the playoffs.
Television career
After retiring the second time around, Johansson continued to work as a colour commentator and did studio analysis during game intermissions on Swedish Canal+. He was doing both Elitserien and NHL games and was one of the two main colour commentators at Canal+, the other one being former Tre Kronor coach Anders "Ankan" Parmström. Canal+ lost the Swedish broadcasting rights for NHL to the Viasat Group ahead of the 2009–2010 season. Together with former Canal+ commentator Niklas Holmgren, with whom Calle has developed a great chemistry when commentating, they subsequently signed for Viasat where they now continue in the same manner as when at Canal+.
Coaching career
Johansson served as an assistant coach with Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League in 2006–07. On 18 July 2012 Johansson was named an assistant coach to the Washington Capitals, joining former Capitals teammate Adam Oates behind the bench. Two seasons later, on 23 June 2014 the Capitals announced that Johansson was leaving the team to rejoin his family in Sweden.
