He's probably our best bet at a #1 defenseman, but I'm not counting on it. He'll probably top off as a #2 or #3.
He's an amazing skater, has some stunning speed and can carry the puck very well too.
Offensively, he hasn't shown much at the NHL level, but that seemed to be b/c he was deferring to older, more experienced players like Goligoski. His offense should start showing up this year, but I wouldn't expect more than 30-35 points.
Solid defensively. Not a rock, but he's good enough in his own zone to not be a worry.
One common thought on Larsen is that he's too small. He certainly has some filling out to do (183lbs), but he's listed as 6'1". That's an acceptable frame to work with- Zubov and Lidstrom were also 6'1". Obviously he'll never achieve their level of greatness, but a 6'1" frame never held those guys back.
Honestly, I don't think the Rafalski comparison is all that good. Setting aside the massive different in ages when they broke into the NHL, I don't feel that comp accounts for the way Larsen defends in his own zone. Larsen has an element of physicality to his game and surprising power along the boards that Rafalski, to my recollection, never really had.
When I first saw him, I said "a better skating version of Sami Lepisto" ...in retrospect, that turned out to be not that helpful because Lepisto never really hung on in the NHL...
Haha, I was looking at that page recently and going "Sami Lepisto, really? C'mon Mike."
But I know you've been a huge Larsen booster over the years and were way ahead of the curve when it comes to non-Stars fans realizing what was potentially there. Maybe you were just trying to keep expectations in check with that one.
I kinda feel like he's his own unique defenseman. There isn't really a good comparable. His surprising strength and physicality isn't something you find very often, much less with his speed and offensive potential.
I would also submit Enstrom... They have similar body types and offensive strengths
This is a good one too. Very close in styles.
The exciting thing is that Larsen is bigger than all of the people we've listed. No doubt in my mind that he fills that frame out under the Stars' guidance and without injuries hindering his training.
Haha, I was looking at that page recently and going "Sami Lepisto, really? C'mon Mike."
But I know you've been a huge Larsen booster over the years and were way ahead of the curve when it comes to non-Stars fans realizing what was potentially there. Maybe you were just trying to keep expectations in check with that one.
Yeah, I did jump on the Larsen bandwagon (start it?) early, so at least I have that. When I try to put a player comparison in, it's purely stylistic, not expectations. If I called Mike Ribeiro "a less talented version of Wayne Gretzky" that doesn't mean he's going to get only 4 Hart Trophies and 2000 points, it would just be in terms of style. Just an example, of course...
When I made those player comparisons, I tried to use known NHLers, especially Western Conference players, so Dallas fans could go "oh, [this guy]...I know him..." in retrospect, Sami Lepisto isn't all that helpful considering it's Larsen in the league now and Lepisto is out... And as per this thread, Larsen is a little tough to make a comparison with...if I absolutely had to come up with something now, it might be along the lines of Kris Russell with better vision and slightly better polish. (not to mention a bigger upside, more projectable frame).
And as per this thread, Larsen is a little tough to make a comparison with...if I absolutely had to come up with something now, it might be along the lines of Kris Russell with better vision and slightly better polish. (not to mention a bigger upside, more projectable frame).
