I think we'll run with 7 defensemen in the playoffs, with Tao as the #8.
I'm not as confident in Tallinder coming back at an acceptable level. If we get farther into the playoffs, we can ease him back in. But I want to be sure he can handle it coming back from a nebulous injury.
As an 18/19 year old Larsson has shown good offensive vision on his breakout passes. Also has shown a willingness to skate the puck up ice if the other team forces him to. Has shown good strength in physical battles. Very calm with the puck and in pressure situations.
As a regular NHL defenseman Larsson has shown some pretty poor decision making, some are probably due to inexperience on how good and quick opponents are and others have no excuse. He's slow when skating backwards, when starting from stop, and when changing directions. He gets beat outside too often. He has trouble keeping track of his opponents speed during 1 on 1, if his opponent increase and decreases speed once or twice Larsson is left all messed up. Needs to get quicker when shooting, both in motion and in decision making. Sometimes too calm in situations that demand some alacrity.
So as an 18/19 year old you can see the promise of how good he can be someday. As a regular NHL defenseman he's been NHL worthy, but on the 4/5/6 type scale.
This is around the same time last year that Fayne hit a bit of a wall. We went into the offseason wondering if he was just playing over his head, and if he wasn't the kind of defenseman we thought he was. The season + soreness/stiffness + game intensity ramping up is probably getting to him. He may have a tough time keeping up in the playoffs, but he's gonna be a lot better next season for the experience he's gotten.
As an 18/19 year old Larsson has shown good offensive vision on his breakout passes. Also has shown a willingness to skate the puck up ice if the other team forces him to. Has shown good strength in physical battles. Very calm with the puck and in pressure situations.
As a regular NHL defenseman Larsson has shown some pretty poor decision making, some are probably due to inexperience on how good and quick opponents are and others have no excuse. He's slow when skating backwards, when starting from stop, and when changing directions. He gets beat outside too often. He has trouble keeping track of his opponents speed during 1 on 1, if his opponent increase and decreases speed once or twice Larsson is left all messed up. Needs to get quicker when shooting, both in motion and in decision making. Sometimes too calm in situations that demand some alacrity.
So as an 18/19 year old you can see the promise of how good he can be someday. As a regular NHL defenseman he's been NHL worthy, but on the 4/5/6 type scale.
4/5/6 is pretty harsh. Remember Neidermayer's beginning...these comments could be copied and pasted directly, he was a bonehead as well and now his #s hanging up...give Larsson time
I do love his breakout bombs. They're almost always right on the players sticks. One thing I wish he'd change is his side. He's a righty shot and I think he'd be more effective on the rush and with one timers when rushing up on the left side, like a left winger with a righty shot would. He's gotta work on his offensive game though, it's...confusing. He doesn't always know what to do and just throws it in the corner and retreats. Still all the talent is there and he'll put it all together soon.
His skating style when retreating with an oncoming opposition forward is something truly unique and isn't talked about much. I've actually incorporated it into my style of skating when playing defense. He uses his stick on the ice in a tripod manner to keep stability and give him the ability to pivot quickly and smooth. I wish I could show an example, but just watch tonight and you'll see what I mean. I've never really noticed a player do this until Larsson.
He moves like Chara, and Chara once had a hard time getting his timing down because of his size and mobility issues that come with that size (foot work, first step, stops & starts and so forth). For Adam, at 6' 3" I don't think it's that he's so big (he's not really), but rather he's so young and hasn't gotten used to his size from growing as a young man and adapting that to the speed of the NHL.
He'll adjust and get more comfortable - and hopefully put on a few pounds to start laying guys out along the boards better. He ties them up ok and slows them down but I think he could start really using his frame to punish the attackers more often when they start to go to the outside. A little Volchenkov in his hitting game wouldn't hurt and would solidify him as a true 2-way Dman.
I kind of like him staying on the safe side with his hits. Remember this guy's idol is Lidstrom, who plays a game of perfect positioning, solid sealing, and precise poke checking. He doesn't take penalties, and that's what you want out of your best defenseman, you want him staying between the puck and the net, and staying on the ice. He hits hard when he needs to, and he could always use more power, but I'd rather he skate backwards a ton this offseason, spend some time working on his upper body muscles, and stay around the same weight, maybe only gaining 10 pounds over the rest of his career.
4/5/6 is pretty harsh. Remember Neidermayer's beginning...these comments could be copied and pasted directly, he was a bonehead as well and now his #s hanging up...give Larsson time
That was only commenting on his play this season, not his long term potential. I don't think he's a top 3 guy on most teams this season. I also think it's pretty rare that an 18/19 year old defenseman can be a 4/5/6 guy on an NHL roster, that's a good accomplishment.
Definitely his best game tonight since coming back from the PK hit..His slap pass that led to the Elias goal was great and he was a rock in the d-zone. Not to mention he made numerous great stretch passes coming out of the zone..
Definitely his best game tonight since coming back from the PK hit..His slap pass that led to the Elias goal was great and he was a rock in the d-zone. Not to mention he made numerous great stretch passes coming out of the zone..
Just like Zidlicky, as expected, getting better with every game.
no complaints here from me, yes there are certain things he needs to get better at - as some have noted foot speed and the sometimes untimely pinching - but he has been just as good or better than what i was expecting from him this year. i cannot wait to see this kid grow into a great player that will hopefully be wearing the devils red for a long time.
Agreed. That said, he needs to work on his footspeed so he can get the shot off quicky and cleanly. Forechecking forwards were able to block it more often than not.
He needs to work on the English language and how certain letters are written...I didn't know I'd be teaching a 19yr. old how to write out the letter "Y".
Oh, you mean hockey? Didn't realize the season was over.
He needs to work on the English language and how certain letters are written...I didn't know I'd be teaching a 19yr. old how to write out the letter "Y".
Oh, you mean hockey? Didn't realize the season was over.
