In case you haven't already heard, Adam Larsson is a star in Sweden.Momentarily within the hockey world, Larsson is slated to go # 2 behind Ryan Nugent-Hopkins respectively, yet there are some who feel the 6'3" 200 pound defenseman from Skelleftea Sweden is precisely what the Oilers need now.
Why? Because he is a big, smart, two way defenseman with the ability to make a first outlet pass. He is calm with the puck and rarely makes a bad pass. The Oilers have been in the market for sometime looking for that stud defenseman, since losing Chris Pronger in 2006; and Larsson could potentially assume that role and perhaps become a 25 + minute player.
Larsson has been in the midst of talk for the past three years and now there are rumblings amongst the scouts who believe that Larsson possesses the same skill and attributes comparable to Niklas Lidstrom. While the idea of comparing Larsson with a future hall-of-famer may seem ludicrous or even far fetched, still after spending 3 years with the Swedish Elite league, it is a safe bet that Larsson is the most NHL ready out of the crop for 2011.
And why not pick up the kid and have him play with the rest of them?
"He is one or our most talented pieces in Swedish hockey at the junior level and he started a little slow, but he worked his way up. He improved as the tournament went on and that was the player I recognized." Tommy Boustedt, GM of Sweden's National Junior team.
At this point, Larsson is not what you call an offensive threat by any means. After playing 49 games with Skelleftea, the 18 year old posted just 17 points and only 9 in his previous year. Though, his +/- rating improved to -12 to his -7 in 2009-10.
"I think I've played good this year, I've taken more responsibility and the coaches have given me more ice time. I try to play physical and simple, that's the way I think I should play." said Larsson.
Where Larsson may end up will be found out on June 24th. All he can do is just wait and see just like the rest of them. Does he have a preference?
"We'll see how the draft goes." said Larsson
Next up...Gabriel Langdeskog
No comments:
Post a Comment