It's not that obvious now, but he's also willing to push people around. Not at the Getzlaf level, but even at the Worlds last year, he just pushed people off the puck. Also in SHL he seemed to crush some people. Not at the rate that Fantilli or Getzy likes to do, but still, he can and will do it sometimes. He just needs to fill out as NHL has much stronger and faster players
Player Discussion Leo Carlsson
- Thread starter Ducks DVM
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The Midnight Burrito
True Fan
There's sooo much "almost" to his game right now.
Hockey Duckie
Registered User
I don't think the NHL has stronger and faster players than the SHL. I think the NHL plays a more physical brand than the SHL, especially since the ice is much narrower. And because the ice is narrower, events happen much faster - not that players are faster. If a player can't skate well or fast in the SHL, then he will be exposed.
Carlsson did display some hits in the SHL, but you can witness his physicality more when he's trying to secure the puck when he's using his body. Often in a race for a loose puck, Carlsson will use his body to gain space advantage than trying to win the puck by skating fast to it. He does it in the NHL too when you see him push players off in order to win puck possession for a loose puck.
Leo does so many subtle things well that lead to splashy plays. I wish more of our players were that attentive in executing all the little things.
If he can end his season around a .70+ PPG clip will be happy. He‘s around a .65 right now. He doesn’t get tripped there, think that puck goes in, but at least he is making things happen. Also had a brilliant pass to Fowler.
This kid and now Zell who was called up are what’s keeping me up late to watch these games. Mac too if he can play like he did Last night( expect that stupid penalty, lol)
The Midnight Burrito
True Fan
Completely different style of player but I remember having this same feeling in Kariya's rookie season, thinking he was THIS close to being dominant. And IMO Kariya would have won the Calder but for it being Forsberg's rookie year, too (and Kariya didn't have anyone like Joe Sakic to play with).
Leo is also pretty much our ONLY young gun who is both willing and somewhat able to fight back when people take liberties with him.
Hockey Duckie
Registered User
Poor LaCombe getting the Rudolf the Red Nose treatment amongst the rookie groups. ha Last night, he got put up with Fowler on the top pair again, played 24:16, had the most blocked shots on the team, and an unusual +1 rating. It would have been great if Vatrano could have scored on the LaCombe behind the net pass at the end of the game last night.
LaCombe's gonna have lots of bumps, especially so on the top pairing, but he can eat up minutes more than any other rookie D so far this year. And he's the only one that gets used on LD and RD interchangeably. He did it last night when he paired with Vaak for a bit.
I know Verbeek said the emergence of Luneau made trading Drysdale easier, but I think the whole rookie contingent this year made a bigger impression, especially when Drysdale went down to injury. Minty and LaCombe being regulars, Luneau on a special training program, Zell lighting up the AHL, and Hinds looking good defensively. Zell and Hinds have been playing RD in San Diego. Maybe Verbeek might want to retract his thoughts on keeping defensemen on their natural shooting side.
Deuce22
Registered User
Saw instances where Mintyukov took no crap from opponents and was willing to physically stand up for himself and teammates.
The Midnight Burrito
True Fan
True, I was thinking forwards and I forgot about poor Minty.
Smirnov2Chistov
Fire Greg Cronin!
Still believe they made the right choice with drafting Carlsson. Seems to become more and more confident when he plays
Yep, he's very obviously an all-around type of player. There are hints of taking over shifts and games from him
I had Carlsson over Fantilli all last season and Im even more sure of the pick today. He's just a flat out special talent, the ideal #1C to build around. I do like what Fantilli brings but I think his skills are best on the wing, you can get that type of player easier... like Gauthier
Rasp
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- Apr 9, 2019
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He has all the signs he will be an elite 1C for the next decade. So glad we picked him and get to watch his journey
I kinda remember wanting Fantilli ever so slightly between the lotto and draft day because i thought we had guys like Zegs and MM who'd compliment his north-south style. I kept thinking tho I bet you anything Yzerman would choose Carlsson so in the back of my mind I kind was afraid they would miss out on him lol.
While Fantilli looks fine, i think Carlsson will be better and fans of other teams largely seem to think so as well. The gap between Leo and Bédard is also nowhere near as big as what was being said before the draft imo and that is evidenced enough, i feel, by how both have played so far this year. Also think Bedard might be a Denis Savard type - maybe a little more flashy than he is actually effective (Zegs is a poor man's version of that imo too, btw.).
While Fantilli looks fine, i think Carlsson will be better and fans of other teams largely seem to think so as well. The gap between Leo and Bédard is also nowhere near as big as what was being said before the draft imo and that is evidenced enough, i feel, by how both have played so far this year. Also think Bedard might be a Denis Savard type - maybe a little more flashy than he is actually effective (Zegs is a poor man's version of that imo too, btw.).
Call me a homer but there is no doubt in my mind we got the best overall player in the draft. Bedard will score more goals but Leo will be more important when it comes to winning hockey games. He's legit Swedish Malkin.
Bedard and Carlsson both look like franchise players. Not sure who ends up better long run, but right now Bedard's nearly PPG pace is really impressive given how bad that roster is. He basically has zero talent around him.
Yeah it's really hard for me to work up any real expectation that Leo will be as good or better than Bedard. His level of production with a lot of room to grow individually and on that roster is something beyond special.
Getting Leo dulls the sting of not getting the first overall pick as he is clearly a special player in his own right and will really start to emerge when he learns common NHL tendencies and builds more strength.
I'd love if he could be on par with Bedard but I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing if he's not. The kid should still be a game changer for this team and a legit superstar.
All that said, there might be something to Leo possibly being the better overall player as in covering multiple aspects of the game with dominance.
I think having Leo instead of Bedard gets us a higher pick this year because of the load management at the beginning. I'd rather have Leo and a top 5 pick this year rather than Bedard and pick 10.
Rasp
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I wouldnt trade Carlsson for Bedard. Bedard will likely be a better player but Carlsson isnt far behind and is the type of player you need to ensure success over an extended period.
Just look at how well Edmonton have done with McDavid & Draisaitl.
Just look at how well Edmonton have done with McDavid & Draisaitl.
That has nothing to do with those 2. It has everything to do with almost every other move the management has done in that time.
AngelDuck
Rak 'em up
- Jun 16, 2012
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Carlsson still looks very raw too, which has me excited. He is going to torch this league by the time he's 22-ish
I wouldn't say NOTHING. Draisaitl especially has issues at times with playing team first hockey especially on the defensive end.
It's mostly at the feet of the GM but those 2 aren't blameless.
Dude is struggling a little now in his last few games, can see the frustration on his face and his body language. His line-mates have actually been very good, so it’s not them. Before it was, but not now. I think he is honestly playing through something or the knee is not 100%. He still has shifts where he looks dangerous but the passing and timing is off. Break will be good for him.
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