Johansson calls Marchand hit 'stupid' as return from injury nears

Marcus Johansson is inching closer to returning to game action, but he hasn't forgotten what put him on the sidelines in the first place.

An elbow courtesy of Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand - as the play was blown dead - during a Jan. 23 contest left Johansson concussed.

While Marchand was suspended five games as a result of the hit, Johansson has been unable to suit up for the past 28 games as he continues to recover from his second concussion this season.

Johansson is also dealing with the frustration in how the injury occurred.

"It was stupid. There's nothing else to say about it," Johansson told Corey Masisak of The Athletic. "There was no point in doing that. There was no hockey play whatsoever.

"It's sad to see there are still guys out there trying to hurt other guys. It's sad. It's stupid. I (am) hoping it doesn't come to him ending someone else's career before it is enough."

Nor does Johansson feel the length of Marchand's ban will sufficiently influence his future behavior.

"Not really, consider this was the ninth time he's been suspended or fined," Johansson added. "Like I said, you hope that it doesn't come to him ending someone's career before it's enough."

As Johansson indicates, Marchand has missed plenty of time at the rink due to his indiscretions, including six suspensions since 2011 totaling 19 games lost, plus seven fines.

Marchand's latest supplemental discipline - a $2,000 fine - came less than two months after the hit on Johansson. But its relatively minor amount apparently isn't a major deterrent to the Bruins forward.

"It's a joke. It's a small amount of money and pretty stupid. But it is what it is," Marchand said earlier this month.

As for Johansson, while Monday marked his first practice, there is no time frame for when he will return to game action.

The Swedish forward has been limited to just 29 games and 14 points this season, a critical loss for a Devils squad battling for its playoff lives and one that could benefit from his offensive contributions.

New Jersey acquired Johansson from the Washington Capitals last offseason.