Adam Larsson potential
- Thread starter TeachMeHowtoDougie
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Holtz My Bahls
Registered User
The Wumpus
bottomless pit supervisor
Great all-situations defensemen don't happen overnight. Remember how down everyone was on Niedermeyer in the 90's? Everyone was expecting him to score on an end-to-end rush every time he touched the puck. Given time, he found his game.
I see Larsson developing a nice (Ottawa-era)Redden-esque style game.
I see Larsson developing a nice (Ottawa-era)Redden-esque style game.
Devils Dominion
Now we Plummet
4check22
Registered User
Mike Green was terrible as well until his third season. Giving up on Larsson is foolish.
The Wumpus
bottomless pit supervisor
I'm not comparing their development curve directly, but pointing out that there was a LOT of criticism of Niedermeyer early on for being enigmatic and not using his talent. It seems silly in retrospect, but there was definitely an undercurrent of disappointment in the mid/late 90's, especially since he wasn't replicating that one goal he scored against Detroit every game.
Nied's posted 11 goals and 40 pts as a rookie and then 10 goals and 46 points in his 2nd season. Then the strike shortened year in which he was below a 40 point pace, followed by 2 sub 40 point seasons. So when we were looking to see his offense expand as he became more acclimated to the NHL, his offensive #'s actually dipped. It wasn't until his 6th year that he broke out with a 14 goal 57 point season.
But even then he went through a streak in years 8-11 that he was again below 40 pts.
Had another 50+ point season in his final year with the Dev's. So his offensive production was pretty up and down throughout his devil's career.
MUCH better offensive #'s while in Anaheim(2 60+ pts seasons, including 69 points in 06-07 and another year in which he posted 59 pts), which pointed to something he gripped about while in NJ and that was the constraints to his game.
Many here suspect Larsson is dealing with similar restraints in his first 2 years with the team.
But even then he went through a streak in years 8-11 that he was again below 40 pts.
Had another 50+ point season in his final year with the Dev's. So his offensive production was pretty up and down throughout his devil's career.
MUCH better offensive #'s while in Anaheim(2 60+ pts seasons, including 69 points in 06-07 and another year in which he posted 59 pts), which pointed to something he gripped about while in NJ and that was the constraints to his game.
Many here suspect Larsson is dealing with similar restraints in his first 2 years with the team.
Devils86
Registered User
- Apr 8, 2008
- 2,088
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Biggest difference between everyone Larsson is being compared to especially Neids is Larrson cannot skate on the level he needs too. His O is weak because he is not good at the point. He gets beat by too often, trails the play way too much. His smarts and reach compensated for his lack of footwork and skating for so long that now when he needs to be on that higher level its not there. If he can improve his skating everything else will fall in place if not hes going to become a good maybe even very good sah D but never develop into what the 4th choice in the draft should but I dont see bust like Thomas Hickey was.
I don't think anyone is comparing Larsson to Nied's in terms of style of play. Nied's was a GREAT skater. It was his biggest strength.
I think people are too critical of Larsson's skating, but in no way am I comparing him to Nied's in that department.
And I thin Larsson has already shown that he will be more then strictly a sah d-man. Not saying how good of an all around player he will be. But however good it is, it will not be as a sah type.
not giving up on Larsson, I just felt like he should develop in the minors and maybe he's be ready by now. maybe I'm wrong but it was hard watching him, he never has any urgency, ever. Idc what style of play he has, urgency can be fit into anyone style. Hopefully he bulks up this season and starts playing like a man. like a Karlsson, now there's a fine defenseman. he came into the league and didn't let anyone stop him, full throttle.
Holtz My Bahls
Registered User
I fully agree, I'm giving Larsson at least 3-5 years to prove himself before drawing conclusions unlike many others around here.
Why are we trying to compare Larsson with players like Karlsson and Niedermayer?
Larsson can't skate as good as both of those players and that's why he'll never be like them. Adam is a smart d-men with a long reach and terrible foot speed. The players mentionned above have ELITE skating and played smart defense but going with body position over physical force.
The kid is 20 years of age, his skating technique can be improved over the next couple of years and to me, that's probably the easiest thing to learn/upgrade as a hockey player. I'm not saying he'll skate like the wind ala Niedermayer but he needs work on his pivots and his 1st step, that's for sure.
If we wanted someone that could skate like Nieds, Letang or Karlsson... we should've went with Ryan Murphy cause that kid can flat out skate but we wouldn't have all the other assets Larsson can give us in terms of overall skills.
One thing I'm hoping for next year is that Larsson plays in all 82 games, injuries put aside of course and for that happen, Lou needs to do something about our ****ing blueline so that Pete doesn't pull the same game of musical chair as soon as a rookie commits a error.
If Lou wants a 20 year old on our roster, well then let's live with the consequences of his growing pains, if not, just send him somewhere we're he'll play heavy minutes and learn on the fly, like Albany. Having a 1st pairing of Larsson/Merrill in Albany wouldn't be the end world and would actually build chemistry between the two players since both of them look to be future of our blueline.
Larsson can't skate as good as both of those players and that's why he'll never be like them. Adam is a smart d-men with a long reach and terrible foot speed. The players mentionned above have ELITE skating and played smart defense but going with body position over physical force.
The kid is 20 years of age, his skating technique can be improved over the next couple of years and to me, that's probably the easiest thing to learn/upgrade as a hockey player. I'm not saying he'll skate like the wind ala Niedermayer but he needs work on his pivots and his 1st step, that's for sure.
If we wanted someone that could skate like Nieds, Letang or Karlsson... we should've went with Ryan Murphy cause that kid can flat out skate but we wouldn't have all the other assets Larsson can give us in terms of overall skills.
One thing I'm hoping for next year is that Larsson plays in all 82 games, injuries put aside of course and for that happen, Lou needs to do something about our ****ing blueline so that Pete doesn't pull the same game of musical chair as soon as a rookie commits a error.
If Lou wants a 20 year old on our roster, well then let's live with the consequences of his growing pains, if not, just send him somewhere we're he'll play heavy minutes and learn on the fly, like Albany. Having a 1st pairing of Larsson/Merrill in Albany wouldn't be the end world and would actually build chemistry between the two players since both of them look to be future of our blueline.
Holtz My Bahls
Registered User
Richer's Ghost
Bourbonite
It's just consistency with Larsson. Pete has said it and Devils fans should have seen that there were games when he was a defensive wall making great outlets. I'm not too worried about him. I was intrigued by what Gelinas was bringing though.
CerebralGenesis
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- Jul 23, 2009
- 24,429
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Holtz My Bahls
Registered User
Devils Dominion
Now we Plummet
Karlson was picked something like 15th, not 4th overall.
Was Larssons lack of footspeed noticed by our scouts at the time?
Richer's Ghost
Bourbonite
Andre Palot
Registered User
I think a lot of people who want to give up on Larsson don't take into account that defensemen develop way slower then forwards do. Trust me (and along with a good majority of the board) Larsson will be a fantastic player for us in the future.
I see threads on the main board regarding trading him and I cringe. To me he has the potential to be a franchise blueliner.
I see threads on the main board regarding trading him and I cringe. To me he has the potential to be a franchise blueliner.
Oneiro
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- Mar 28, 2013
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The way I see it, this slow development works in our favor in terms of contract negotiations. Not only Larsson but Josefson too. The upside to Henrique's disappointing year as well.
I think all three players will be valuable in this league. They hit a rough patch for whatever reason, but I bet we'll be able to retain a big chunk of their prime before they cash in.
I think all three players will be valuable in this league. They hit a rough patch for whatever reason, but I bet we'll be able to retain a big chunk of their prime before they cash in.
Not only is Larsson a smart player, but people are often seeing his 'lack of intensity' as a problem. I think what people are incorrectly seeing his is consistent, even demeanor. And with that I think will come hockey consistency as well. His head is in the right place, he has the physical tools, and now he needs to put it all together. He's young, he's got plenty of time.
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
I don't think it's the lack of intensity, I just think his sense of urgency needs some fine tuning. He can be a little too nonchalant at times. But that'll get better.
Feed Me A Stray Cat
Registered User
Nicklas Lidstrom didn't have an "urgent" style of play. He wasn't very physical or fleet of foot either.
Lidstrom was one of the best at his position and Adam has a loooooooooooooooong way to go before he reaches that level... so I don't know if throwing his name around is going to help the cause of this debate.
It's like saying, Josefson isn't the biggest guy around, but Gretzky wasn't either.
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