Player Discussion Leo Carlsson

[Mr Rogers]

I worry about injuries with Leo. I expect him to be around 0.75 ppg but could see him above or slightly below.

 

[Gliff]

Just because you are big doesn't mean you need to play physical to take advantage of your size.

 

[HanSolo]

One difference for me between Carlsson and Sennecke is that, despite being a twig, Beckett already seems confident and willing to throw his body around.

The worry I have with Leo is that, even if he fills out, convincing him to be physical might be like convincing Getz to shoot more. I just think it's hard to get a player to think that way when they're already 23/24.

That said I don't think he needs to be a very physical player to be successful, just a little bit might go a long way for him.

I have a slightly differing take. Pre and post draft I've always been somewhat impressed by Carlsson' s relative strength with possession of the puck given his frame. In the SHL and the WC he was a lot harder to knock off the puck than you'd expect from a guy his age with his frame. That became less of a factor in the NHL as bigger and stronger guys were knocking him off his skates but he still has a fair number of moments where he can keep his balance and possession under physical pressure.

I think there's a difference, in taking about being physical between a guy who will be physically capable to bull his way through physical pressure and a guy who uses his size to throw the body around. Someone like Getzlaf was able to and often did both. But all you'd really want and need from Carlsson is the former, utilizing the mass he still has room to build to create and maintain separation for himself to find space where necessary or bull his way past pressure where the space isn't there. I see no reason why Leo can't eventually get to that point unless he's lazy in the weight room.

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

I have a slightly differing take. Pre and post draft I've always been somewhat impressed by Carlsson' s relative strength with possession of the puck given his frame. In the SHL and the WC he was a lot harder to knock off the puck than you'd expect from a guy his age with his frame. That became less of a factor in the NHL as bigger and stronger guys were knocking him off his skates but he still has a fair number of moments where he can keep his balance and possession under physical pressure.

I think there's a difference, in taking about being physical between a guy who will be physically capable to bull his way through physical pressure and a guy who uses his size to throw the body around. Someone like Getzlaf was able to and often did both. But all you'd really want and need from Carlsson is the former, utilizing the mass he still has room to build to create and maintain separation for himself to find space where necessary or bull his way past pressure where the space isn't there. I see no reason why Leo can't eventually get to that point unless he's lazy in the weight room.

Yeah agree. His strength on the puck is a huge asset - I just think some people hope he will become a hard hitter/real bull dog and I think those people will be disappointed.

 

[HanSolo]

Yeah agree. His strength on the puck is a huge asset - I just think some people hope he will become a hard hitter/real bull dog and I think those people will be disappointed.

I mean how many first line centers fit that mold to begin with? I agree with you I just think it's a silly thing to expect.

 

[Kalv]

In the highlights of his SHL play I remember him having episodes of physicality as well. He's not prime Getzlaf, but he might have some physicality in crunch time. We'll see more this year with a bit added weight

 

[Mr Rogers]

I think that’s the only aspect of his game that could similar to Sundin, Mats would sort of plow his way through defenders because of his size and strength rather than pushing/shoving/hitting. I see Leo being physical in that sense. Definitely different than Getz who would like often initiate contact and finish his hits, even if it would sacrifice forechecking pressure a bit.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I think that’s the only aspect of his game that could similar to Sundin, Mats would sort of plow his way through defenders because of his size and strength rather than pushing/shoving/hitting. I see Leo being physical in that sense. Definitely different than Getz who would like often initiate contact and finish his hits, even if it would sacrifice forechecking pressure a bit.

Agreed 100%. Sundin was a power forward in the sense that he went wherever he wanted to go but he wasn’t out there crushing guys, and that’s what I hope to see from Leo.

 

[Sean Garrity]

I think that’s the only aspect of his game that could similar to Sundin, Mats would sort of plow his way through defenders because of his size and strength rather than pushing/shoving/hitting. I see Leo being physical in that sense. Definitely different than Getz who would like often initiate contact.

I for the most part hated how physical Getzlaf was. I understand it was part of his game, but I don’t need my superstar hitting, fighting, blocking shots, etc. in game 15 of the regular season.

 

[JAHV]

I for the most part hated how physical Getzlaf was. I understand it was part of his game, but I don’t need my superstar hitting, fighting, blocking shots, etc. in game 15 of the regular season.

Oh man, I could not disagree more. There were games (particularly in the playoffs, but also plenty of times in early season games) where Getzlaf absolutely took over physically. It was glorious to watch. Defensemen would just bounce off him. You couldn't move him off the puck and he would demolish anyone who looked at him funny. Then he'd make a no-look backhand pass right onto Perry's tape, and Perry would score as he "accidentally" tripped and took out the goalie in the process.

I certainly don't NEED my superstar to do that (Selanne is my favorite player of all time), but it was a really fun aspect of Getzlaf's game and really enjoyable to see.

All that to say, I don't think Carlsson will be that. Like others, I see more Sundin and Barkov, where he'll use his size to his advantage but he won't necessarily weaponize it or get aggressive with it. And that's fine. There's no sense trying to make Carlsson play a way he's not comfortable with. He'll be elite playing his way.